News Carla Esparza vs Marina Rodriguez, July 25th

[Ares Black]

https://m.sherdog.com/news/news/Car...odriguez-on-July-15-Wednesday-UFC-Card-173234

Classic grappler vs striker matchup in the Strawweight shark tank.

Esparza is the former champion, Rodriguez is the blue-chip prospect.

I am really high on Rodriguez, and I think she deserved the win over Calvillo in her last fight. Esparza is a tough fight matchup for her, but a win would go a long way in establishing her as a legitimate contender.

Thoughts?

 

[Rebel_LioN]

I think the new chick could win this. Esparza doesn’t do well with clinch TDs and I don’t see her closing the gap very efficiently with her blast doubles or singles.

But this is WMMA

 

[TITS]

Finally!

 

[poor form]

I think Rodriguez is long enough to keep Carla away from her. Anybody with good striking, and really good tdd has a really good shot against Carla.

Marina wins.

 

[Ares Black]

Rodriguez will have a significant size advantage. She is 6 inches taller, and a big Strawweight.

Esparza is tiny, and should probably be at Atomweight.

 

[VAfan]

rodriguez looks familiar, i know i've seen her fight, but have to admit i barely remember it.

 

[Ares Black]

@Better Every Day
@WMMA
@PurpleStorm
@Ironnik94
@Zebra Cheeks

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Marina is good at beating people up from close range against the fence, which is exactly what Joanna did to Esparza.

 

[ufcfan4]

I like Marina here. She doesn’t seem easy to take down and she has the striking advantage for sure (even though Carla improved in that dimension). Rogriguez’s issue against Calvillo is that once Calvillo gets you down, she typically dominates the fight. I think Esparza would be less offensively potent from the guard and that she would still wind up losing a decision despite securing top position intermittently through the fight.

then again, Rodriguez also drew with Randa who is good but not top shelf. Someone will have to remind me of how that fight played out.

 

[Mammothman]

Hopefully Marina fucks her up, I'm tired of Esparza getting gifted decisions

 

[BZeee]

War Cookie Monster

 

[Better Every Day]

I don't know who wins, but I'm rooting for Marina because I find her to be more fun to watch.

 

[markg171]

Never been a fan of Carla, but I like that she, among multiple other fighters, are just taking multiple fights during these times.

Fuck the 80% of the roster who are not.

 

[Ares Black]

The more I think about this fight, the more I am leaning towards a Rodriguez blowout win.

She is too big and a very aggressive striker. She dominated the much bigger Cynthia Calvillo for two rounds, I think she can overwhelm and finish Esparza.

Signature win for Rodriguez, TKO Rd2.

 

[Askafan]

Interesting fight, I'm sure Rodriguez will be studying tape of 185, after all they call her the Brazilian Joanna.

 

[Ares Black]

Interesting fight, I'm sure Rodriguez will be studying tape of 185, after all they call her the Brazilian Joanna.

Like that avatar Sherbro.

Villanelle is awesome.

 

[sonhow]

If there is any sense in the world Marina should absolutely dominate this fight.

 

[BabyBlue_Bomber]

Stylistic nightmare matchup for Esparza.

Then again, I said the same thing about Waterson.

Still, Esparza had nothing for Waterson in the final 2 rounds of their bout and Waterson was able to shrug off all but one takedown attempt. Esparza essential won simply because Waterson simply did less (and even that is debatable).

I don’t see Rodriguez being as passive as Waterson was and she will make it apparent who the better fighter standing is en route to a clear decision win.

Rooting for Esparza, as always, and I hope she proves me wrong, but I just don’t see it happening.

 

[Ares Black]

For the record, this is the first poll I have ever made on Sherdog!

 

[leto1776]

I think Rodriguez is long enough to keep Carla away from her. Anybody with good striking, and really good tdd has a really good shot against Carla.

Marina wins.

Rodriguez doesn’t have really good TKD defense though. It’s not very good, in fact.