UFC strawweights Marina Rodriguez and Yan Xiaonan will be part of the lineup on March 5 at what is expected to be UFC 272.
One of the UFC’s top contenders will be facing another ranked opponent in her next outing. Paradigm Sports announced that top ranked strawweight Marina Rodriguez will face Yan Xiaonan at what is expected to be UFC 272 on March 5.
Rodriguez (15-1-2) has posted an impressive mark so far in her MMA career and put together a 2021 campaign that has her on the cusp of title contention. After coming up short in a split-decision to fellow title hopeful Carla Esparza, Rodriguez went 3-0 with a finish of Amanda Ribas and decisions over Michelle Waterson and Mackenzie Dern. Prior to UFC President Dana White recently committing verbally to Esparza being next to challenge for the title, it was believed that Rodriguez had also been in the running.
Xiaonan (13-2) had been on the cusp of her own breakthrough after putting together a 12 fight win-streak, half of which came in the UFC Octagon. A part of the UFC since 2017, “Nine” has recorded notable victories over former title challengers Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and perennial contender Angela Hill. Xiaonan’s win-streak was snapped in her last outing this past May where she was stopped by the aforementioned Esparza in the second round.
No headliner or location for the event has been announced at this time.
