TUF 20 Finale: Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas Full Fight Video Highlights
Faced with the tough challenge of Rose Namajunas, former Invicta FC champ Carla Esparza became the first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion when she submitted “Thug” in the third round of their main event clash at last night’s (Fri., December 12, 2014) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20 Finale from The Palms Casino Resort in as Vegas, Nevada.
The flashy Namajunas dominated headlines during the week due to her dangerous finishing skills and hype as supposedly the “next Ronda Rousey.” But Esparza cooled off that hype train’s momentum quite considerably with her vaunted wrestling, taking Namajunas down five times in just over two rounds.
Despite nailing “The Cookie Monster” with some stiff kicks and knees, Namajunas couldn’t damage Esparza enough to negate her mat acumen. The 22-year-old Namajunas also didn’t train her wrestling much leading up to the bout, an obvious mistake that was undoubtedly her undoing.
Esparza will now move on to a host of new challenges in a fresh UFC division. Check out the highlights of her history-making win below:
