5 challengers for UFC women's strawweight champion Carla Esparza

Carla Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas via split decision to capture the strawweight championship

Carla Esparza regained the strawweight championship after defeating Rose Namajunas via split decision at UFC 274. It wasn’t the most exciting fight, but she still won the title and earned her second win over Namajunas. This is also her second reign as strawweight champion and extended her winning streak to six straight wins. This victory also set the record for longest gap between individual title reigns in the promotion’s history. It has been 2703 days since her first title win, which is significantly longer than Frank Mir’s previous record of 1652 days.

Despite her title fight not being the most entertaining, there are still intriguing challengers for her in the strawweight division. The division continues to improve and there could be opponents that Esparza has yet to fight as well as possible rematches. This list will look at five possible challengers for UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza.

#5. No.4-ranked UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern

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Mackenzie Dern would be a suitable challenger for new UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza. Dern recently bounced back from her loss to Marina Rodriguez by earning a split decision over Tecia Torres. It was a great performance that put her in the title picture at 115 lbs.

Prior to her loss to Rodriguez, she won four consecutive fights that included wins over Randa Markos and Nina Nunes. Dern’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu background would make for an intriguing bout with Esparza.

Dern is a decorated judo practitioner who has represented the United States and Brazil in major competitions and won numerous championships. Some of the championships she has won include the Asian Open Championship, European Championship, and World Cup.

‘Cookie Monster’ would have to be cautious with her wrestling against Dern as she’s capable of submitting opponents off her back. Based on their respective strengths, it could also be a bout contested in the standup.