Tag: Carla Esparza

Tatiana Suarez and Carla Esparza Reported for UFC 228

Although UFC 228 is still without a main event, it is already reported to have two crucial strawweight contests. It has already been reported that Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz will square off in what will likely determine the next #1 conte…

Although UFC 228 is still without a main event, it is already reported to have two crucial strawweight contests. It has already been reported that Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz will square off in what will likely determine the next #1 contender for Rose Namajunas’s championship. Now, rising and undefeated prospect Tatiana Suarez is slated to […]

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Michelle Waterson Reveals Two Names She Wants To Fight Next

These fights would be perfect for “The Karate Hottie.”

The post Michelle Waterson Reveals Two Names She Wants To Fight Next appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Michelle Waterson is ready to get back into the Octagon, and she has two names on her mind as possible opponents.

The 32-year-old hasn’t fought since April when she picked up a split decision win over Cortney Casey. Waterson’s victory snapped a two fight losing-streak after dropping a pair to Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres.

“The Karate Hottie” recently spoke to MMA Junkie and revealed she’s eying a return date around September or October but nothing has been scheduled yet:

“We are wanting to get a fight maybe September, October time frame,” Waterson said. “We don’t have anything scheduled yet.”

Waterson said she’d like to fight either Karolina Kowalkiewicz or Carla Esparza. Kowalkiewicz is on a two fight win-streak after defeating Jodie Esquibel and Felice Herrig. Esparza just had a two fight win-streak snapped after a controversial loss to Claudia Gadelha at UFC 225 in June:

“I would love to fight Karolina or Carla Esparza,” Waterson said. “Those two are the ones I have my eyes on the at the moment.”

There’s just one problem with Waterson’s suggestion. Kowalkiewicz is reportedly closing in on a deal to fight No. 3-ranked Jessica Andrade at UFC 228 in September. Esparza, however, is still available although she has recently voiced her desire for a rematch with Gadelha:

“I guess (Kowalkiewicz) is out of the question,” Waterson said after being informed of the Andrade booking. “(Esparza) is (a good fight).”

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Claudia Gadelha Open To Carla Esparza Rematch In Brazil

Claudia Gadelha is more than willing to rematch Carla Esparza after their controversial first meeting. The Brazilian defeated Esparza at UFC 225 in June via split decision. After the fight Esparza voiced her frustrations about the contest, first believ…

Claudia Gadelha is more than willing to rematch Carla Esparza after their controversial first meeting. The Brazilian defeated Esparza at UFC 225 in June via split decision. After the fight Esparza voiced her frustrations about the contest, first believing she was the rightful winner but also accusing Gadelha of greasing. A week before the fight […]

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Michelle Waterson Eyes Bouts With Kowalkiewicz & Esparza

Michelle Waterson has her sights set on two fierce strawweights. Waterson is back on track following a split decision victory over Cortney Casey. “The Karate Hottie” had dropped two bouts in a row to Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres. Namajun…

Michelle Waterson has her sights set on two fierce strawweights. Waterson is back on track following a split decision victory over Cortney Casey. “The Karate Hottie” had dropped two bouts in a row to Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres. Namajunas would go on to capture the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight title. Waterson’s last bout […]

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Claudia Gadelha: Carla Esparza is Making Excuses For UFC 225 Loss

Claudia Gadelha believes Carla Esparza isn’t owning up to her UFC 225 loss. Earlier this month, Gadelha vs. Esparza was featured on the FOX Sports 1 preliminary portion of UFC 225. The event was held inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois….

Claudia Gadelha believes Carla Esparza isn’t owning up to her UFC 225 loss. Earlier this month, Gadelha vs. Esparza was featured on the FOX Sports 1 preliminary portion of UFC 225. The event was held inside the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Gadelha earned a split decision victory. Esparza claimed that Gadelha was slippery and […]

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Claudia Gadelha Headed For Knee Surgery Following UFC 225 Win

Claudia Gadelha will have to wait a bit longer for another title opportunity.

The post Claudia Gadelha Headed For Knee Surgery Following UFC 225 Win appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Claudia Gadelha has her eyes set on getting back in the UFC’s 115-pound title picture, but she may have to wait a while.

The Brazilian challenged for the strap back in July of 2016 when she took on longtime rival and opposing The Ultimate Fighter Season 23 (TUF 23) coach, Joanna J?drzejczyk. Gadelha was bested by her Polish counterpart via unanimous decision.

She’d bounce back with back-to-back wins over Cortney Casey and Karolina Kowalkiewicz, but Gadelha’s streak was then stopped dead in its tracks by fellow Brazilian Jessica Andrade via unanimous decision in September. At UFC 225 on June 9 in Chicago, Gadelha got back in the win column with a split decision victory over former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza.

Shortly after her victory, Gadelha revealed to MMA Fighting that two weeks before her clash with Esparza she had suffered an injury to her knee and thigh. Thanks to the care she received from medical specialists at the UFC’s Performance Institute she decided not to pull out of the fight, but she’ll now undergo surgery to repair the damage:

“I badly injured my knee, everyone at the UFC (Performance) Institute knows that because I was treated by the institute’s physiotherapist,” Gadelha said. “(The physiotherapist) was the only reason I didn’t pull out of the fight. She said ‘I’ll take care of you.’

”I kept visiting the physiotherapist during fight week to be able to fight. I felt the knee in the first round, could barely stand, and still beat Carla in her game, wrestling, so I think she’s just mad she couldn’t outwrestle me.”

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