UFC 228 is pretty behind on getting itself put together. But in the coming weeks we’ll surely get some more clarity and today we start with the 115ers.
Already in the works for the UFC’s return to Dallas, Texas is a strawweight battle between two of the division’s very best in Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
The 115-pound action isn’t stopping there though as Joe Devlin now reports that former UFC champion Carla Esparza will be taking on The Ultimate Fighter season 23 winner, Tatiana Suarez.
Tatiana Suarez [@TSPMMA115] x Carla Esparza [@CarlaEsparza1] will meet at #UFC228 in Dallas, TX on 09/08
We’ll be interviewing Tatiana on Friday to discuss the fight, more details to come …. pic.twitter.com/xUFYboJcLc
— Joe Devlin (@_MMAFNL) July 18, 2018
#EXCLUSIVE
Tatiana Suarez [@TSPMMA115] x Carla Esparza [@CarlaEsparza1] will meet at #UFC228 in Dallas, TX on 09/08
We’ll be interviewing Tatiana on Friday to discuss the fight, more details to come ….
For Suarez, this will be her first big step up in competition as she has yet to face anyone on the level of Esparza and she’ll be doing so just three fights into her UFC career (six overall, nine including TUF).
Suarez’ last bout came in the co-main event of UFC Chile when she impressively dominated the hot prospect, Alexa Grasso, just under three minutes to hand her her first career loss via finish (submission). Thus keeping her undefeated record in tact.
Esparza, on the other hand, is coming off of a competitive loss to Claudia Gadelha at UFC 225. Despite feeling she won and that Gadelha used some dirty tactics in the process, Esparza still remains a staple among 115’s elite.
A win will be huge for both ladies but more so for Suarez who would catapult herself right into title contention.
With a flyweight championship bout rumored to possibly land at UFC 228, nothing has yet to be set in stone.
The only other confirmed bouts for UFC 228 at the moment include the following:
Bantamweight – 135lbs: Jimmie Rivera vs. John Dodson
Featherweight – 145lbs: Yair Rodriguez vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/17/2018