UFC officially books rematch between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza

The UFC has finalized the next strawweight title fight and it’s a rematch several years in the making. Sports Illustrated was the first to report late last night that the promotion had finalized the rematch between the champion Rose Namajunas (11-4) and Carla Esparza (18-6).

The fight will be the co-main event of UFC 274 on May 7th. Esparza is finally getting her second crack at UFC gold. If there’s anyone that deserves a title shot in the promotion right now, it’s Carla Esparza. Esparza has rattled off five consecutive wins to earn this shot.

Back in December of 2014, Esparza and Namajunas fought in The Ultimate Fighter Finale for the inaugural UFC strawweight title. Esparza was able to pick up the win by securing a rear-naked choke. She would go on to lose the title in her first title defense.

It’s been a long climb back up towards the title for the former UFC champion. A climb that has featured slip ups just before reaching the top, but now, she can’t be denied. Anyone who is a MMA fan should be happy for Esparza that she’s getting this well deserved title shot.

UFC Title Defense for Thug Rose

As mentioned, Thug Rose is going to be looking to avenge her loss back in 2014 when she defends her title at UFC 274. Let’s be very clear about one thing, Rose Namajunas now and Rose Namajunas in 2014 are galaxies apart in terms of skill level.

Since 2017, Namajunas has only lost once and that was to Jessica Andrade in Brazil at UFC 237. In a fight where Namajunas was dominating, Andrade was able to get a clinch and used a slam to knock out Namajunas. However, Namajunas has since avenged this loss.

She’s now won three straight including back-to-back wins over former champion Zhang Weili. In those two wins, Namajunas has proved without a doubt that she’s the best strawweight in the UFC.

Out of her four career losses, two of them have been avenged. She will look to make it three and she will be the big favorite to do so at UFC 274.