Vegas Play of the Day: UFC’s Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 | 2:09 p.m.

Two fighters saved the latest season of “The Ultimate Fighter” from feeling lackluster.

They meet tonight at the Pearl at the Palms for the first-ever women’s strawweight championship bout. The dominance of Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas in the preliminary rounds entitles them to some attention in the Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point and $10,000 starting bankrolls.

Carla Esparza plus-155 vs. Rose Namajunas: $320 to win $496

Had this bout taken place before the reality show, the line would have been completely different. Esparza might not have come in as a large favorite, but the reigning Invicta champion would have definitely had the “minus” next to her name.

Namajunas hadn’t fought in more than a year, and was coming off of a loss in just her third professional fight. Granted, her three bouts on the show — all submission victories — carry more weight because they’re more reflective of the fighter she is now.

But there are still too many question marks to label her a favorite against a more seasoned fighter. Namajunas has only gone a full three rounds once in her career, let alone the five required of a title fight.

Esparza has better submission defense than anyone Namajunas ran through during the show. A quick finish seems unlikely.

Namajunas is praised an explosive striker, but it’s not a fact which female is better on the feet. Esparza showed strong boxing in her semifinal win over Jessica Penne to get into this championship fight.

Namajunas is the more exciting fighter, but that doesn’t make her the better one. Esparza, at the very least, will test her in ways she’s never seen before to make this price a bargain.

Standings: Bern (59-49-1, $12,216), Keefer (51-60-1, $6,931), Brewer (50-56-3, $4,555)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.