The strawweight title fight between Weili Zhang and Carla Esparza is reportedly booked for UFC 281. Chinese correspondent Chris Presnell broke the news earlier today:
I’ve got confirmation that both sides have signed the contract for Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili at #UFC281 Nov. 12 in New York. Ariel Helwani first reported the fight was in the works for this event. pic.twitter.com/xDhryPtKFb
— Chris Presnell (@mmaecosystem) August 17, 2022
Title eliminator
Dana White confirmed that the strawweight fight between Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275 would be a title eliminator. It seems he has been true to his word with the Chinese fighter looking to recapture the belt she lost last year.
Zhang (22-3) was beaten twice by Rose Namajunas last year. The first loss came courtesy of a head kick but the second was a razor close split decision which went in the American’s favour.
Those losses snapped a 21 fight winning streak for the 33 year old. But she relocated to Bang Tao Muay Thai in Phuket, where she is currently based, and relaunched her career with the win over Jedrzejczyk in Singapore.
Picking up right where they left off 🍿
[ #UFC275 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/IEu8bU0BAa ] pic.twitter.com/kpir7HQJJE
— UFC (@ufc) June 12, 2022
Newly crowned
Esparza (19-6) is riding a six fight winning streak that culminated in her winning the strawweight title at UFC 274. She beat Namajunas by split decision but it was derided as the worst title fight in the promotion’s history so she probably has a point to prove.
That winning run include a first round stoppage win over Yan Xioanan. She finished the Chinese fighter with ground and pound at UFC Vegas 27.
🍪 @CarlaEsparza1 earned her 5️⃣th straight win at #UFCVegas27
Who's next?! pic.twitter.com/RIpSqTrrwy
— UFC (@ufc) May 23, 2021
Korean star
As previously announced Seung Woo Choi has found his way onto one of the biggest cards of the year. The Korean featherweight will take on Mike Trizano in New York on November 12th.
The fight is set for UFC 281 which takes place at Madison Square Garden. It looks like a make or break moment for both men because they are coming off back to back losses.
Choi is coming off a highly entertaining split decision defeat to Joshua Culibao at UFC Singapore. Both men had their moments but the Australian seemed to have clearly won rounds one and two.
Trizano is a New Yorker and is sure to have the crowd at Madison Square Garden on his side. He won TUF 27 but was last seen losing to Lucas Almeida at UFC Vegas 56.
𝑲𝑼𝒀𝑨 gets it DONE!💪
🇵🇭🇦🇺@CulibaoMMA outlasts Choi for the SD win! #UFC275 pic.twitter.com/C7OYYQzO30
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) June 12, 2022
Best of the rest
The card will be headlined by a middleweight matchup pitting champion Israel Adesanya (23-1) against challenger Alex Pereira (6-1). The Brazilian might be lacking in MMA experience but he holds two wins over the current UFC 185lbs king from their kickboxing days.
The event will also feature Molly McCann (13-4) who takes on Erin Blanchfield (9-1), another New Yorker. The English flyweight is riding a three fight winning streak and has earned bonuses for her last two victories while the American has won all six of her UFC fights.
UFC 281, New York, November 12th
Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Alex Pereira (For middleweight title)
Carla Esparza vs. Weili Zhang (For strawweight title)
Molly McCann vs. Erin Blanchfield (Flyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann (Light Heavyweight)
Michael Trizano vs. Seung Woo Choi (Featherweight)
