Carla Esparza Steps In to Fight Julianna Lima at UFC 197

Written by A.G Lee

It Looks like Julianna Lima just got a new dance partner for UFC 197 in the form of Carla Esparza! Jessica Aguilar was set to take on the Brazilian standout on the UFC 197 card until she was recently injured during training. Many thought that it would be a good win column fight for Aguilar as some believed her first step into the octagon proved too steep as she took on current championship challenger Claudia Gadelha at UFC 190 and was soundly handed a unanimous decision loss.

With Julianna Lima not being a step down in competition by any means, it was a more equal fight for someone finally stepping onto the biggest MMA stage in the world until the injury. Lima is currently riding a two fight win streak of her own and is looking to break into the rankings herself with a win over Aguilar who was once ranked by many MMA outlets as one of the top strawweights in the world outside of the UFC.

Now with Carla Esparza stepping in on a bit of short notice, this will be a chance for the ‘Cookie Monster’ to also get back in the win column after being sidelined for a year. Esparza was last seen at UFC 185 defending her strawweight title against Joanna Jedrzejcyzk a bout in which she lost by TKO in the second round as she had no answer for the striking prowess of the current champion.

MMA fans think this is a great return fight for Carla Esparza and a big name fight for Lima?