A potential strawweight title eliminator is set to take place on May 22nd when the UFC’s inaugural 115-pound champion Carla Esparza takes on emerging prospect Yan Xiaonan. In a bout first reported by MMA DNA.
Former UFC Champion Carla Esparza Looks Set To Face Emerging Prospect Yan Xiaonan
Carla “The Cookie Monster” Esparza (17-6, 8-4 UFC) fights out of Team Oyama in Redondo Beach, California. Esparza is currently enjoying a four-fight winning streak after picking up wins over Virna Jandiroba, Alexa Grasso, Michelle Waterson, and Marina Rodriguez.
Yan “Nine” Xiaonan (13-1, 6-0 UFC) fights out of Extreme Sanda in Liaoning, China. Xiaonan is unbeaten over her past twelve fights, with six of those coming in the UFC octagon. Xiaonan has picked up noticeable victories over Angela Hill, as well as former title challengers Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Claudia Gadelha.
This match-up is a must-win for both fighters as it is a title eliminator that matches up the number three ranked Xiaonan with number four ranked Esparza. While rumours indicate that women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang will fight Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. It is essential that both Esparza and Xiaonan show that they are next in line for a title shot in the 115-pound division.
It is not known where the Carla Esparza vs Yan Xiaonan fight will land on the card but it will certainly be a fun one to watch! The full line-up and location of the May event have yet to be announced. However, the fights currently announced include:
- Women’s Featherweight: Felicia Spencer vs Danyelle Wolf
- Heavyweight: Rodrigo Nascimento Ferreira vs Alan Baudot
- Bantamweight: Denys Bondar vs Victor Rodriguez
- Flyweight: David Dvorak vs Raulian Paiva
- Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza vs Yan Xiaonan
Who do you see winning between Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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