“I had dislocated and taken backward a week or two before the fight. No fighter is most likely going to go into any fight 100 percent. The camp going into these fights is brutal. “Some of the trolls smack talking, but what people don’t realize, this is a brutal sport. ![]() “I’ve definitely got some backlash on social media about, ‘There’s no way you got injured in that fight, nothing even happened’,” Esparza said. She is quick to point out that the fight itself is rarely when athletes suffer injuries - it’s the weeks and months leading into an event that take the most out of them. Fool me twice, shame on me.”ĭespite absorbing minimal damage in her split decision win over Namajunas in May, Esparza didn’t go into the fight at full strength. That was my choice, but what I’m taking away from that, I have to learn my lesson. “For me, it’s not taking away from Joanna’s victory, because I made the decision to step into the octagon. “I wasn’t 100 percent, and I ended up tearing my shoulder in that fight. “I would say that fighting Joanna so quickly - that was my fifth fight in eight months - I would say fighting that quickly back has to be one of my biggest regrets in my career,” Esparza admitted. Her previous title reign lasted just three months when she rushed into a fight against Jedrzejczyk after beating Namajunas in The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale. In response, Esparza reminded Zhang that she’s the champion, and has some latitude in when she competes again. Immediately after her knockout over Jedrzejczyk, Zhang called for a title shot in October when the UFC plans to return to Abu Dhabi. But she’s also going to give herself plenty of time to get ready. Whether it’s marketing or whatever else the reasoning, that’s just kind of how it goes, and you have to just roll with the punches.”Īssuming Zhang ends up as her next opponent, Esparza is more than willing to accept the challenge. “I definitely think she earned the title fight, and this is just the way it goes with the UFC sometimes. “Even having to knock somebody out twice in one fight in Amanda Ribas. ![]() “Every time I watch Marina, I see her getting better and better and beating top girls,” Esparza said. “For me, I fight whoever’s put in front of me, but doesn’t necessarily mean I think it’s fair or was the right call as far as the athlete goes.”Įsparza holds a split-decision win over Rodriguez in the Brazilian’s most recent loss, but she’s seen real improvements in the challenger’s game since their fight nearly two years ago. But for whatever reason, I’m sure there’s a lot that goes into it and Weili is getting the shot. She’s been staying active, and for me, she’s proven herself. ![]() ![]() “I think that Marina has won five straight, I think she’s beaten top-level competition. “I don’t think is ,” Esparza told MMA Fighting. The champ favors Rodriguez’s current winning streak and impressive performances against ranked opponents over Zhang’s recent win after consecutive losses to Rose Namajunas. 1 contender after her win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275.Įsparza believes Marina Rodriguez is the person most deserving of a title shot. That said, the two-time 115-pound champion still has a vested interest in her next title defense, which is why she was a little surprised to hear Zhang Weili crowned the No. Now that she’s reclaimed the UFC strawweight title, Carla Esparza isn’t really in the business of calling out opponents.
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