The UFC announced yesterday that Claudia Gadelha vs Carla Esparza has been added to UFC 225 June 9 at the United Center in Chicago. This is a pivotal fight in the Strawweight division. Once upon a time, these two were supposed to fight in Invicta. The first time was in Jan. 2013. Claudia pulled out due to a broken nose. The second time was in Dec. 2013. It was more contentious because Claudia got sick after the weigh ins. So the fight was cancelled. Invicta stupidly let Carla come out during the show and flap her gums. They were among the contracts purchased from Invicta by UFC. All the fighters were supposed to be on TUF 20 but Claudia pulled out supposedly because of her English. I wonder if she regrets that now because Carla became the first champ. Of course Carla lost the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk and then she had shoulder surgery. Since then, Carla is 3-1. She won her most recent fight over the favored Cynthia Calvillo because Cynthia used terrible strategy. I didn't think Carla won the fight. I thought Cynthia beat herself. Then she got popped for drugs. So you know how fighters think. A win is a win. Carla must think that a win over Claudia will get her a title shot. I have my doubts about that. But it sure would be funny if she had to face her pal Felice Herrig. Meanwhile, Claudia needs to bounce back from a one sided loss to Jessica Andrade to get back in the Strawweight title picture. As we have seen in both her losses, Claudia's main flaw is lack of endurance. She ran out of gas in both of those fights. That's what I will be looking at in this fight. I think Claudia is a better fighter but Carla could outlast her and win by decision. It's a very interesting fight.
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