Carla Esparza provides health update, targets a return before end of 2022
Reigning UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza provided an update on her health and says she is targeting a return to action by the end of 2022
Reigning UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza has not competed since she won the title from former champion Rose Namajunas at UFC 274 in May of this year, but she could find herself back in competition before the year is over. Esparza, who is now a two-time strawweight champion after her win in a lackluster fight against Namajunas, is currently riding a six-fight winning streak in which she has beaten the likes of Namajunas, Yan Xiaonan, Michelle Waterson, and Marina Rodriguez among others.
Although she acknowledged the lack of excitement and action in her latest win, the champion is looking to get back into the Octagon once her health allows it. The former TUF Season 20 winner and is also tied with newly-retired Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the most wins in the UFC women’s strawweight division with 10 career wins. With calls for her to face former champion Weili Zhang next, Esparza recently said that she wouldn’t rush into a fight with the challenger, as there were calls for the fight to take place in October, but due to injuries the champion didn’t believe she’d be ready by then.
Earlier this week Carla Esparza took to her Instagram page and announced that she was able to avoid surgery and her plan is to return by the end of the calendar year. In her post, Esparza revealed she would be able to avoid surgery altogether and will require PRP injections, physical therapy, and time to heal before she’s ready to compete.
“Health update: I just saw my doctor in regards to my 2 MRI results yesterday, and the great news is, no surgeries required on either location! I simply require a little more time to heal, PRP injections (already scheduled) and a little physical therapy and I should be back to 100% to start camp and fight before this year is done. I have a very tough fight and camp ahead of me, and I look forward to giving it my all. In the meantime, look forward to some modified training. Thank you to the @UFC for being on top of it and making sure I get back to 100.” (Carla Esparza on Instagram)
In acknowledging the tough fight she has next in front of her, it’s likely that Carla Esparza will be preparing for Weili Zhang to be her next opponent, which will certainly push the champion to have a far different fight and showing than she had against Namajunas earlier this year.
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