The UFC Vegas 27 bout between China’s Xiaonan Yan and former strawweight champion Carla Esparza had major implications for the 115 pound division. It was a battle between the third and fourth ranked fighters in the weight class, and the winner could likely be the next challenger to new Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight queen Rose Namajunas‘ title.
Seconds into the fight Esparza unleashed the wrestling that has gotten her within arms reach of another title fight. And the leader all-time for takedowns at strawweight kept her Chinese opponent glued to the mat for the entirety of the round from thereon. Keeping her under control, landing ground and pound, and even threatening an armbar with 30 seconds left. A dominant first round that could be scored 10-8 for Esparza.
Carla Esparza dominates Yan Xiaonan over two rounds
Thirty seconds into the second and a leg kick from Yan was caught by the “Cookie Monster,” which lead to her opponent being grounded once again. The dominance continued but didn’t last nearly as long as the first round. Esparza worked to the crucifix position, and landed an elbow that cut Yan open and pumped blood from her forehead. Soon after Esparza was able to land a bunch of undefended blows that forced the referee to stop the action at 2:58 of round two, giving the American a pivotal win by technical knockout. Only the fourth TKO in her 18 wins.
It is a huge victory for the fourth ranked Esparza as she blew the doors off of the third-best fighter in the division. It’s hard not to consider her for a title opportunity against Namajunas after a performance like that. The former division champion has now won five straight.
“Fury” lost for just the second time in her 15 fight career, and for the first time by knockout.
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