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.

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.”

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.”

“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.

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.

Top Stories

Tragedy Strikes as 45-Year-Old MMA Veteran Drowns in Amazon River

Ilia Topuria’s UFC Title at Risk After Personal Break Turns Worse With “Extortion” Claim

How Much Did Conor McGregor Spend on Secret Vatican Wedding With Dee Devlin? Lavish Details Emerge

Alex Pereira’s White House Announcement Has Fans Turning On Dana White as Donald Trump’s UFC Plans Hit a Snag

UFC Rankings: Final 2025 Update Brings Major Shake-Ups as New Title Challenger Emerges

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.

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.

READ MORE: ‘I Knocked Your A** Out’-Paul Felder Trolls Charles Oliveira After Retirement

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.

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?