It seems like UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza already knows who she may face next! Unfortunately, it is not Marina Rodriguez who is ranked no. 3 in the division and is on a 4 fight win streak. In an appearance on MMA Underground, Dana White revealed the winner of Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2 will get the next title shot.
Zhang and Joanna will be clashing once more on Saturday at UFC 275. Weili is currently the no. 2 contender in the division but Joanna is currently unranked due to her 2 years of inactivity.
However, both of them are former champions of the division. They are also much bigger attractions than Marina Rodriguez. Confirming the news of the winner this weekend getting the title shot, Dana White said,
“This would definitely be that whoever wins this will definitely fight Esparza for the title.” (h/t via MMA JUNKIE)
From a business sense, it makes complete sense for the UFC to opt for either Weili or Jedrzejczyk. Their previous clash was an epic one and the fans are salivating over the prospect of seeing both in the Octagon one more time.
The sequel to an all-time classic is almost here 🍿
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2022
[ #UFC275 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/IEu8bU0BAa ] pic.twitter.com/BISJACl0zx
As a result, all the momentum will be behind the winner of the upcoming contest. So the involvement of either Weili or Joanna will generate a lot of interest in the next 115lbs title fight.
Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk: Who wins at UFC 275?
At UFC 248, Zhang Weili got a razor-thin split decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Hence Weili will be the obvious favourite to win at UFC 275. However, the circumstances are much different ahead of the second bout. Weili suffered a KO loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. She was also stunned in the rematch at UFC 268 against Rose.
Hence that is something that Joanna can try to exploit. She is one of the fiercest punchers in the strawweight division. Having a questionable chin against her is almost a death sentence. Although her striking could not affect the first-ever Chinese champ last time, Zhang is in a much more compromised position ahead of this bout.
Face-to-face for the first time in two years 💢@MMAWeili vs @JoannaMMA
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2022
[ #UFC275 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/IEu8bTJ0bA ] pic.twitter.com/3uMIk4e5K3
At the same time, it also has to be taken into consideration that Joanna is coming off a layoff of 2 years. In her time off, she has been involved in many activities in the field of business. Although the Polish fighter has been insistent on the notion that she has been training during that period, the lack of time in the Octagon will certainly be a concern.
Despite recent losses, Weili has been pretty active recently and the fans can expect her to be the swifter fighter on Saturday. She also changed her fight camp to focus more on her boxing and speed. Hence, the fans can expect another slugfest at the upcoming PPV in Singapore.