After reclaiming the title in her last outing, Carla Esparza took on former women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili in her first title defense at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
UFC 281: Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili
Round 1
Zhang with a low kick. Esparza keeping her distance. Zhang displaying a lot of feints. Esparza lands a nice jab. Zhang continues chopping at Esparza’s legs. Zhang keeps her pressure up. Kick to the body by Zhang. Nice straight right by Zhang. Esparza gets her leg and goes for a takedown. Weili rotates around and lands big elbows. Esparza gets on top and lands light strikes. Weili reverses and gets her back. Zhang unloads from the top. The two ladies scramble until Esparza is on the top. Esparza works some big elbows from the top. Esparza tries to make Zhang pay on her way up. Good right hand by Weili. Carla goes for a takedown but misses. Big kick to the body of Esparza. Weili reverses another takedown attempt into side control. Zhang lands big elbows from the top.
Round 2
Zhang is on the inside and fires a low kick. Esparza blitzes in and eats a big right hand. Esparza goes for a takedown and Weili manages to get out. Weili goes for the crucifix attempt. She has her neck and gets a tight rear-naked choke in.
Official Result: Zhang Weili defeats Carla Esparza via submission (R2, 1:05).
Check out the highlights below:
Here. We. GO! #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/vmwrMNaGcd
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
GIVE HER THE BELT BACK 🏆@MMAWeili recaptures gold at #UFC281!! pic.twitter.com/su4ioC7DIP
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
A dream come true for @MMAWeili to recapture her strawweight crown 👑 #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/uuLbDF4OeQ
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022