UFC 281 Results: Pereira Knocks Out Adesanya

Zhang Weili comes out on top for back championship with surprising rear-naked choke of Carla Esparza

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Zhang Weili is champion once again and she earned the title back in uncommon design Saturday at Madison Square Nursery.

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With a changed arm-catching back exposed stifle, Weili (23-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) secured in a back bare gag and tapped Carla Esparza (19-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) at 1:05 of Cycle 2

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The women’s strawweight title bout was the UFC 281 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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The primary round was firmly challenged with to and fro scrambles. Esparza had her moments, yet Weili seemed to land the more significant strikes.

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In Round 2, Esparza shot for a takedown. She got it – sort of. Weili landed on the bottom, but eventually snatched Esparza’s back in a scramble.

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Weili trapped Esparza’s left arm with both of her legs. There was brief hand-fighting before Weili eventually locked in the choke.

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Weili becomes UFC ladies' strawweight champion for the subsequent time and stretches out her series of wins to two, likewise remembering a knockout of Joanna Jedrzejczyk for June.

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She moves to 2-1 in UFC title difficulties and is the main Chinese boss in advancement history. Her main UFC misfortunes have come against Rose Namajunas.

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Esparza has her six-battle series of wins snapped. North of two title rules, Esparza still can't seem to score a title protection.

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At UFC 274 in May, Esparza came out on top for the strawweight championship against Namajunas in a dull and fairly questionable split choice.

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Zhang Weili def. Carla Esparza via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:05 Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:00

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Frankie Edgar vs. Chris Gutierrez via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 2:01 Dan Hooker def. Claudio Puelles via TKO (kick) – Round 2, 4:06

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Renato Moicano def. Brad Riddell via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:20 Ryan Spann def. Dominick Reyes via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:20

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Erin Blanchfield def. Molly McCann via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 3:37 Andre Petroski def. Wellington Turman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Matt Frevola def. Ottman Azaitar via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:30 Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Silvana Gomez Juarez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Michael Trizano def. Seungwoo Choi via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:51 Montel Jackson def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Carlos Ulberg def. Nicolae Negumereanu via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:44

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