5 blockbuster fights to book in the UFC women's strawweight division

5 fights to make at 115 pounds [Images via @carlaesparza1, @rosenamajunas @marinarodriguezmma and @joannajedrzejczyk on Instagram]

The UFC strawweight title has changed hands six times since the division was created seven years ago. The status quo atop the weight class went full circle earlier this year as Carla Esparza, the inaugural champion, re-claimed the belt.

With the rest of the strawweight contenders gunning for Esparza's throne, fans will be in for some blockbuster matchups down the line in what is, without a doubt, the most exciting women's division in the UFC.

Carla Esparza defeats Rose Namajunas a second time to become the strawweight champion 🏆 #UFC274 https://t.co/kVbs5Q0JdG

Former champions Rose Namajunas, Jessica Andrade and Zhang Weili will be itching to compete for the title again. Rising contenders Marina Rodriguez, Mackenzie Dern, Yan Xiaonan, Tecia Torres and Amanda Ribas are also looking to edge closer to a shot at gold. Additionally, Tatiana Suarez remains an ominous presence at 115 pounds.

The landscape in the division is set to undergo more drastic changes in the coming months. On that note, here are five blockbuster fights to book in the UFC strawweight division.

#5. Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan

Mackenzie Dern is inarguably the most credentialed grappler in all of women's MMA. Without a doubt, she is the most dangerous submission specialist in the 115-pound division and has emerged as a legitimate threat to the championship in recent years.

Dern put together an incredible Brazilian jiu-jitsu résumé prior to her transition to MMA. She is currently the only female competitor to have won gold medals at the black belt level at each of the five highest-ranked IBJJF Gi Championships.

Dern joined the UFC with a 5-0 record back in 2018 and has enjoyed a steady rise up the rankings over the last four years. En route to her climb up the 115-pound ladder, the grappling phenom beat the likes of Hannah Cifers, Randa Markos, Virna Jandiroba, Nina Nunes and Tecia Torres.

Now among the top contenders in the division, Dern is tantalizingly close to a shot at gold. A win over a fellow top contender could boost her chances of fighting for the belt sooner rather than later. A potential fight against Yan Xiaonan appears to make sense for all parties involved.

Xiaonan got off to an extraordinary start in the UFC, winning her first six bouts in the promotion to vault herself into the top 10. While she's struggled to put away her opponents, her point-fighting style proved to be quite effective as she moved up the rankings.

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However, in her last two outings, the Chinese strawweight has suffered disappointing defeats, comprehensively losing to Carla Esparza before being beaten at her own game by Marina Rodriguez earlier this year. Xiaonan will be desperate to bounce back in her next octagon outing.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan is certainly an intriguing matchup. Xiaonan will have to keep the fight standing up if she is to emerge victorious and she has likely improved her takedown defense since the loss to Esparza. Dern proved to be more than just a grappler in her recent win over Tecia Torres and continues to develop into a well-rounded fighter.

This would be a classic striker vs. grappler matchup.

Mackenzie Dern (left) and Yan Xiaonan (right) [Images via @mackenziedern and @Yanxiaonan on Instagram]