Jessica Aguilar, one of the best strawweight fighters in the world, is now on the free-agent market.
Appearing on The MMA Hour, the former WSOF women's strawweight champ announced that World Series of Fighting had released her on Monday, freeing up an opportunity to finally sign with the UFC and compete against the best 115-pound fighters in the world:
I'm excited to be here as a free agent today. I'm looking forward to challenging myself against the best and proving why I'm the No. 1-ranked fighter in the world. ... The UFC wasn't allowed to talk to me while I was under contract with WSOF. So I've solved that issue for them. I'm a free agent.
WSOF granted the release per request, according to Aguilar.
It's unprecedented to see a company honor such requests, especially from a world champion. But WSOF was willing to cut ties with its 115-pound queen, thus granting her an opportunity to take her talents elsewhere.
If signed to the UFC, Aguilar would be a major addition to a strawweight division already rich with talent. She is currently riding a 10-fight win streak, with notable victories over Megumi Fujii, Lisa Ellis and former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza.
The timing of Aguilar's release is impeccable considering Esparza's comments a week ago on The MMA Hour, where she called Aguilar a "cheater" and accused her of using performance-enhancing drugs. Perhaps a rematch between Aguilar and Esparza could finally be on the horizon.
The UFC will likely be interested in signing the former WSOF champ.
Many publications, including Sherdog.com, have Aguilar listed behind undefeated 115-pound UFC champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk at No. 2 in the strawweight rankings.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
