Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Justin Barrasso

Can Esparza Hold UFC Gold Past Title Defense at UFC 281?

View the original article to see embedded media.

Carla Esparza is two-for-two in title bouts against Rose Namajunas.

Esparza regained the women’s strawweight title this May at UFC 274 when she beat Namajunas by split decision. The fight was nearly eight years after Esparza defeated Namajunas in December of 2014 to become the division’s first-ever champ, winning in spectacular fashion with a rear-naked choke. However, there was remarkably less intensity–and excitement–in the rematch.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.