![]() ![]() Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. Zhang also becomes the fourth woman in UFC history to become a two-time champion, joining Namajunas, Amanda Nunes and, ironically, Esparza.Įsparza sees a six-fight win streak snapped. The finish is Zhang's eighth career win by submission and only the second time Esparza has been submitted in her 12-year career. ![]() ![]() In the second round, Zhang scrambled partially around Esparza's back and forced her to choke to the tap. Esparza caught a body kick attempt in the first several minutes and looked to take Zhang down, but Zhang's physicality in the scrambles continued to show up as the fight progressed. The veteran stalked Esparza around the Octagon, and although she didn't land too many shots early, the power difference was obvious. Although she was the challenger, Zhang went into Saturday's contest as a significant betting favorite, and it showed once the fight began. Zhang lost her title to Namajunas at UFC 261 in March 2021 and lost to her again via split decision in an immediate rematch in November last year.Įsparza took the belt from Namajunas in an upset split decision in May, which helped set up another title shot for Zhang. Zhang, 33, has always been one of the best strawweights in the world, but her kryptonite in the UFC has been former champion Rose Namajunas. "Every day I dreamed of this, my belt would come back," Zhang said. The finish came at the 1:05 mark via rear-naked choke and made Zhang a champion again for the first time since March 2021. Zhang (23-3) reclaimed her 115-pound championship by submitting Carla Esparza (19-7) in the second round of their strawweight title fight, which co-headlined UFC 281 inside Madison Square Garden. On Saturday, she also became China's second UFC champion. NEW YORK - Zhang Weili became China's first UFC champion in 2019, when she took the strawweight title from Jessica Andrade. Zhang Weili submits Carla Esparza to reclaim strawweight title You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser Carla Kristen Esparza (born October 10, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and wrestler who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is a two-time former UFC Womens Strawweight Champion. ![]()
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