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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Carla Esparza poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC | Getty Images)

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Carla Esparza poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC | Getty Images)
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza picked up a dominant win against Yan Xiaonan in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 27. She picked up the victory via TKO in round 2 to extend her winning streak to five matches.
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After the match, ‘Cookie Monster’ appeared for the post-match interview and talked about the title opportunity next. She said, “I believe so. Nothing is secure till I sign on that dotted line or hear from Dana you know, (but) in my mind, ya.”
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Dana White then appeared for an interview with ESPN. He responded to Esparza’s title opportunity. “She looked like a beast tonight and absolutely dominated. You can tell by the way she was fighting that she was trying to make a statement.”
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“Statement made, message received, we see you. I don’t know what we do next. If we do the rematch (with Rose Namajunas) or we give it to her,” White concluded.
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How Carla Esparza dominated Yan Xiaonan
The promotion’s inaugural strawweight champion, Esparza, dominated Yan from the starting seconds of the match. She raised her wrestling skills and was successful in her attempt at a takedown on Yan.
She landed heavy punches from her top position that opened up Yan’s forehead. ‘Cookie Monster’ held that position for the rest of the round.
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The second round followed the same suit as that of the first. Esparza again successfully did a takedown on Yan. She then adjusted herself to a crucifix position and continuously landed hard blows, which completely bruised and bloodied Yan.
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The referee saw no other alternative, so he stopped the match and raised Esparza’s hand. This was her only stoppage win in the last 5 victories, showing how dominating she was in this match.
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Does Esparza deserve a rematch with Namajunas?
After five consecutive wins, it’s not only a sign, but it’s an explicit statement. She is looking hungry for another title run. This is not the only thing that could excite UFC and fans alike for a rematch.
She had won the inaugural belt, defeating Namajunas in 2014, and she is the only fighter to hold a submission victory over the current champ. Namajunas too will look forward to this fight as a vengeance to her previous meeting ending in loss.
Today In #MMA History: @CarlaEsparza1 Submits Rose Namajunas With A Third Round Rear-Naked Choke To Win The Ultimate Fighter and Becomes The UFC’s First Strawweight Champion
12/12/14#UFC #TUF #TUF20Finale
— Jon Realejo (@BloodyCanvasJon) December 12, 2019
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It’s up to UFC to decide the course of action from here on. They could either give Weili Zhang her rematch with Namajunas or they could reward Esparza’s resurgence with a titular rematch.
Do you think Esparza deserves a title fight now?
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