UFC 197 results: Ex-champ Carla Esparza returns from layoff, shuts out Juliana Lima

Carla Esparza

LAS VEGAS – It wasn’t much of a surprise that former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza used her wrestling to repeatedly ground Juliana Lima.

It might have been a surprise, however, that Esparza (11-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)struggled offensively against the active guard of Lima (8-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC).

The women’s strawweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 197 event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

Esparza, who returned from a 13-month layoff due to shoulder surgery, picked up unanimous 30-27 scores, having spent the bulk of the 15-minute fight in top position against Lima. But the tally didn’t necessarily reflect the difficulty she faced despite holding dominant position.

Perhaps looking to throw off her opponent, Lima first broached the possibility of a takedown. When that failed, Esparza asserted herself and put the fight on the canvas. While she managed to hold down the Brazilian, she wasn’t able to do much other than get off a few punches, as Lima repeatedly worked for armbars and triangles while elbowing and punching from the bottom. An upkick bloodied Esparza early.

The ex-champ got the fight down much earlier in the second round and managed to adjust so she could rack up more points from top position. But Lima continued to make things difficult, using a leglock attempt to reverse position and briefly get to her feet.

Punches distracted Lima long enough to give up another critical takedown in the final frame, and with little time to work, she had to make the most of the round. When Esparza failed to capitalize on side control, Lima used the threat of a reverse triangle to get on top. She then scrambled for an arm triangle, with Esparza pawing to keep her away. But ultimately, time ran out before a submission could be attempted.

Esparza gets back to the win column after ceding the belt in her first defense to current champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Lima sees a two-fight streak snapped.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 197 results include:

• Carla Esparza def. Juliana Lima via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• James Vick def. Glaico Franca via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Walt Harris def. Cody East via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:18
• Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Clint Hester via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:35
• Kevin Lee def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC 197, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Matt Erickson contributed to this report on site in Las Vegas.)