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UFC Macau takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Retirement fight announced
Esparza (personal) is scheduled to compete against fellow strawweight Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, per Esparza's announcement Friday.
ANALYSIS
Esparza took more than a year off due to her pregnancy. While she is back, it will not be for long. After almost 15 years as a professional athlete, Esparza will call it quits in her return bout against Pennington, who put her UFC career on hold for more than a year herself before returning with a split-decision loss against Tabatha Ricci. Esparza is a two-time UFC Strawweight Champion, having defeated Rose Namajunas both times to kick off her reigns.
Esparza took more than a year off due to her pregnancy. While she is back, it will not be for long. After almost 15 years as a professional athlete, Esparza will call it quits in her return bout against Pennington, who put her UFC career on hold for more than a year herself before returning with a split-decision loss against Tabatha Ricci. Esparza is a two-time UFC Strawweight Champion, having defeated Rose Namajunas both times to kick off her reigns.
Announces pregnancy
Esparza announced Sunday via her personal Instagram account that she's expecting a child in September.
ANALYSIS
Esparza hasn't fought since November, and she'll miss a significant period of time due to her pregnancy. However, she indicated in her Instagram post that she hopes to return to the Octagon in early-to-mid 2024.
Esparza hasn't fought since November, and she'll miss a significant period of time due to her pregnancy. However, she indicated in her Instagram post that she hopes to return to the Octagon in early-to-mid 2024.
No match for Zhang in title defense
Esparza lost to Zhang Weili via submission (Rear-naked choke) at 1:05 of Round 2 at UFC 281 on Saturday in New York.
ANALYSIS
Esparza tried to work her wrestling in this one, but it was all for naught, as her clearly stronger opponent would inevitably get the upper hand once the fight hit the mat. This left "Cookie Monster" on an island in the Octagon, as she was also no match for the power Zhang produced on the feet. Esparza's story is one of a scrappy wrestle-boxer who kept up with MMA as the sport evolved, enough to capture gold for a second time while riding a six-fight win streak. Where she goes from here remains to be seen, as it's tough to see much enthusiasm for a rematch at this point. Esparza falls to 20-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Esparza tried to work her wrestling in this one, but it was all for naught, as her clearly stronger opponent would inevitably get the upper hand once the fight hit the mat. This left "Cookie Monster" on an island in the Octagon, as she was also no match for the power Zhang produced on the feet. Esparza's story is one of a scrappy wrestle-boxer who kept up with MMA as the sport evolved, enough to capture gold for a second time while riding a six-fight win streak. Where she goes from here remains to be seen, as it's tough to see much enthusiasm for a rematch at this point. Esparza falls to 20-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Set to fight Weili Zhang
Esparza will defend her title against Weili Zhang in a strawweight bout at UFC 281 on Nov. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Esparza is coming off of six-straight wins, most recently against Rose Namajunas via split decision in May. Weili Zhang recently experienced two-consecutive losses to Namajunas, but bounced back with a win against future hall-of-famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk in June to cement her status as the top contender at 115 pounds.
Esparza is coming off of six-straight wins, most recently against Rose Namajunas via split decision in May. Weili Zhang recently experienced two-consecutive losses to Namajunas, but bounced back with a win against future hall-of-famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk in June to cement her status as the top contender at 115 pounds.
Two-time UFC champion
Esparza won the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Rose Namajunas via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 274 in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
Let's be clear, Esparza didn't actually "win" anything, but she did walk out of the arena with the championship, making her a two-time UFC title holder. In addition, Carla absorbed no damage, which is key because she is scheduled to get married next week. Esparza and Namajunas conspired to produce arguably the worst title fight in UFC history. The first three rounds were impossible to score because neither woman did anything. Esparza finally collected two takedowns in Round 4, her only two of the bout on 11 attempts. She allowed Rose to land a takedown and arguably the biggest punch of the fight in Round 5. All told, Carla landed 30 total strikes, while Namajunas landed 38. Neither number is a misprint. Ultimately, two of three judges thought it was enough. Esparza wasn't the champion when the night began and she is now, which is all that matters. Carla's first challenger is difficult to pinpoint at the moment. There is zero chance the UFC can run this combo back a third time. At least not at this point.
Let's be clear, Esparza didn't actually "win" anything, but she did walk out of the arena with the championship, making her a two-time UFC title holder. In addition, Carla absorbed no damage, which is key because she is scheduled to get married next week. Esparza and Namajunas conspired to produce arguably the worst title fight in UFC history. The first three rounds were impossible to score because neither woman did anything. Esparza finally collected two takedowns in Round 4, her only two of the bout on 11 attempts. She allowed Rose to land a takedown and arguably the biggest punch of the fight in Round 5. All told, Carla landed 30 total strikes, while Namajunas landed 38. Neither number is a misprint. Ultimately, two of three judges thought it was enough. Esparza wasn't the champion when the night began and she is now, which is all that matters. Carla's first challenger is difficult to pinpoint at the moment. There is zero chance the UFC can run this combo back a third time. At least not at this point.