Yan Xiaonan and Carla Esparza faced off in a women’s Strawweight clash tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC Vegas 27. In a dominant win, Esparza stopped her foe in the second round.
Esparza ducked under a right hand to score an immediate double leg takedown. Xiaonan went to work right away trying to force a scramble back to her feet, but Esparza managed to hang on and maintain top position. Esparza advanced into side control. Esparza landed short knees and flowed around Yan’s attempts to explode into better position. Though she wasn’t landing any devastating shots, Esparza continued to work. With 30 seconds remaining in the round, Esparza attacked the arm, looking for a kimura or armbar. Xiaonan kept her elbows tight to avoid the hold, but she ate some elbows in the process.
Xiaonan was bleeding to start the second, but she still stuck her opponent with a clean 1-2 to start the second. Esparza caught a kick and converted it to a takedown. Esparza passed guard once again, this time moving into crucifix. Esparza really started letting her punches fly, trying to force a stoppage. Xiaonan bucked wildly, but she was unable to escape, and Esparza forced the referee to intervene!
This is really a tremendous win from Esparza. She out-wrestled her opponent rather easily, dominating from top position and really proving herself several levels ahead of Xiaonan on the mat. That’s likely enough for a rematch with Rose Namajunas!
Result: Carla Esparza defeats Yan Xiaonan via second-round knockout
For complete UFC Vegas 27: “Garbrandt vs. Font” results and play-by-play, click HERE!