The UFC is set to begin its historic 20th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" television series on Wednesday. This will be the first time the series features an all-female cast and the winner of the season will be crowned the UFC strawweight champion, but is there already a favorite to win the title before season begins?
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Carla Esparza was the strawweight champion in Invicta Fighting Championship but chose to vacate her title to enter the 16-woman TUF tournament. Esparza, also known as "The Cookie Monster," was not awarded the same luxury as Ronda Rousey, who was allowed to come to the UFC from Strikeforce as the women's bantamweight champion and remain the champion.
But Esparza's experience makes her the odds-on favorite to be victorious this season. She already holds wins over two members of the tournament and there are also nine other fighters who competed in Invicta FC while Esparza was champion. It's safe to say Esparza is a lock to be one of the two fighters who will be vying to be named the first strawweight champion in UFC history.
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Brad Pickett Calls Out John Moraga
John Moraga earned an impressive come-from-behind submission win over Justin Scoggins on Friday at UFC Fight Night 50. After the fight he was asked who he'd like to face next, and Moraga said it didn't matter as long as he gets to fight in his hometown of Chicago.
Shortly after the event fellow top-10 flyweight Brad Pickett answered Moraga's challenge on his Twitter, suggesting they should fight at UFC on FOX 13 on Dec. 13.
"If you are looking for someone to trade with you in your hometown in December, I'm game," Pickett tweeted to Moraga. "Think it would a great fight."
If the fight is made, the winner would likely be inserted into the title conversation. Pickett is one of the only fighter in the division who has beaten current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Moraga fought for the title last year and lost by submission in the fifth round.
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