A brand new No. 1 contender within the strawweight division goes to be decided at UFC 275 on Saturday.
UFC president Dana White confirmed to John Morgan of the Underground that the winner of Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2 can be subsequent in line for newly topped champion Carla Esparza.
“This may positively be whoever wins it will positively battle Esparza for the title,” stated White.
“I’m positive she’ll be watching this Saturday intently and be able to roll with whoever wins.”
Esparza received the strawweight championship for a second time towards Rose Namajunas at UFC 274 in Could. There was little interest in a trilogy between Esparza and Namajunas, which paved the way in which for a brand new contender to emerge.
A type of contenders is Marina Rodriguez, who’s presently ranked No. 3 within the division and on a four-fight win streak. The Brazilian believed she ought to get a championship alternative after her cut up determination win over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 272 this previous March. White agreed she is near competition, however not sufficient to get her shot but.
“She is,” stated White. “She’s proper there. This stuff occur. Timing is every thing.”
Ought to Jedrzejczyk win, it might arrange a rematch with Esparza. The ex-champion defeated the ‘Cookie Monster’ through second-round technical knockout at UFC 185 and went on to take pleasure in a virtually three-year reign over the division earlier than struggling her first skilled loss to Namajunas. When she introduced her return to the Octagon after losing a split decision to Weili in a ‘Struggle of the 12 months’ at UFC 248, Jedrzejczyk welcomed a rematch against Esparza.
Weili additionally expressed curiosity in Esparza, who challenged the 34-year-old following her title-winning effort towards Namajunas. Although she didn’t get the battle, ‘Magnum’ knew there was an opportunity she may nonetheless face Esparza in some unspecified time in the future.
UFC 275 does down on Saturday, June 11, at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
