A battle between the inaugural UFC strawweight champion and one of the division’s rising stars has been set.
Carla Esparza will take on Marina Rodriguez in a matchup at the UFC’s July 15 event. MMA Junkie confirmed the booking through sources with knowledge of the bout an initial Wednesday report by ESPN. A location for the card has not yet been sent.
Esparza (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC), who is also a former Invicta FC titleholder, became the first UFC 115-pound champ when she defeated Rose Namajunas in the finale of “The Ultimate Fighter 20” in 2014. Esparza has won three straight bouts, most recently a win over former Invicta FC atomweight champ Michelle Waterson at UFC 249.
Rodriguez (12-0-2 MMA, 3-0-2) is undefeated in five UFC bouts. The 32-year-old competitor out of Brazil most recently fought Cynthia Calvillo to a majority draw on Dec. 7.
Not only will the fight give Esparza a chance to build on recent momentum as she makes a push toward a shot at the belt now held by Zhang Weili, but she also revealed on her Instagram page that she’s signed a new deal to remain with the UFC.
