C. Esparza is the new UFC strawweight champion. Photo: Getty Images
The North American Carla esparza made history in the early hours of this Saturday (13), in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old fighter proved her favoritism, submitted Rose namajunas and became the first athlete to be champion of the newly created UFC strawweight category (up to 52 kg.). The fight was the main attraction of the TUF 20 Finale, the big decision of the UFC reality show, which crowned the new owner of the belt.
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In the second most important fight of the night, the only Brazilian on the card shone. The paulista Charles of the Bronx overcame the difficulties to make weight the night before and the provocations from Jeremy Stephens to play a safe game, come close to finishing at various times and win by unanimous decision from the judges (read the fight article here).
The fight
Considered the best fighter in the category in the world, Carla arrived at TUF as the big favorite on the reality show. After hitting Angela Hill, Tecia torres e Jessica penne in the house, she faced a brave Rose namajunas in the decision.
In the grand final it was Rose who started better and tried to surprise. With greater reach, Namajunas moved forward and launched dangerous blows against Carla. However, more experienced, Esparza began to loosen up his game at the end of the first half.
With a history of success in Greek-Roman wrestling, Carla attacked the legs and started working on the ground. In the second round against “Cookie Monster”, as she is known, she repeated the recipe and dominated the fight. She took down again, mounted and landed several punches from the top, with the bell saving Rose at the end of the partial.
After coming close to victory in the second round, Carla esparza reached the desired title in the third half. After getting a few takedowns against Namajunas, Esparza took her back and submitted her with a rear naked choke.
The triumph marked the fifth consecutive victory for Carla esparza in MMA, which has 11 in 13 fights. In turn, Namajunas suffered his second consecutive defeat. She also has two victories (fights within the reality show are not counted in the professional record).
Check out the results of the TUF 20 Finale
Main card:
Carla esparza finished Rose namajunas with a rear naked choke in R3;
Charles of the Bronx defeated Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision;
KJ Noons x Daron Cruickshank – fight ended in a No Contest (finger to the eye) due to finger to the eye
Yancy Medeiros submitted Joe Proctor with a guillotine choke in R1;
Jessica penne derrotou Randa markos in the judges' split decision;
Preliminary card:
Felice herrig submitted Lisa Ellis with an armbar in R2;
Heather Jo Clark defeated Bec Rawlings via unanimous decision;
Joanne calderwood defeated Seo Hee Ham via unanimous decision by the judges;
Tecia torres defeated Angela Mangana by unanimous decision of the judges;
Aisling Daly submitted Alex Chambers with an armbar in R1.
Angela Hill defeated Emily Kagan in a unanimous decision by the judges;
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