Carla Esparza won the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight championship in 2014, and lost it four months later to Joanna Jedrzejczyk. “Cookie Monster” is now on a four-fight win streak over Virna Jandiroba, Alexa Grasso, Michelle Waterson, and most recently Marina Rodriguez, by Unanimous Decision, Majority Decision, Split Decision, and Split Decision, respectively.

Esparza appeared recently on the What the Heck podcast to talk about what happened, and what she wants to happen.

Honestly, I feel we were pretty well prepared for everything that [Rodriguez] had, said Esparza. The only thing that may have caught me off guard a little bit were the strikes off of her back. I didn’t think she would be as dangerous as she was. When I gave her the opportunity being on top and going for those foot locks, she was very aggressive and took advantage of that short amount of time down there.

She was super tough. She does have a lot of grit and a no-quit attitude. When I went for my second foot lock, I thought I heard a few pops and she would tap, but she was super, super tough.

I felt that I won all three rounds, but I was a little scared at that moment. I would’ve been kicking myself going for those heel and foot lock attempts had the decision gone the other way, but I was able to pull it off.

Amanda [Ribas] has been someone I’ve been hearing about for a while in the division as an up and coming star. I would definitely love the opportunity to take that challenge—especially since she’s been asking for it. I would love that fight, I think it’s a really good one.

Claudia Gadelha, it’s gonna happen at some point. It’s tough because I’ve been wanting to fight her and we’ve had this back-and-forth since Invicta, seven-plus years having this rivalry. She wants to fight me, I want to fight her and it’s going to happen eventually, but I’m not gonna hold my breath for it. If Amanda’s the next fight for me, she’s the next fight for me.

I feel like I’m kind of the gatekeeper for the young up and comers. I’m tired of being that gatekeeper. I feel like I’m ready for another title shot. I feel like I’m the next fight that makes sense. There’s a lot of people that are out right now, or coming off losses and, for me, I’ve been knocked down and I’ve been crawling my way back to get that shot.

I would say I am ready for that fight [vs . Weili Zhang] and with everything going on in the world, it would be like stars aligning. It’s kind of worked out this way and everything is lining up with Rose [Namajunas] out, Tatiana [Suarez] has a neck injury, Nina [Ansaroff] is pregnant and there’s a lot going on in this division right now. I’m coming off four straight wins against tough competition and I think the stars are aligning for this opportunity. My hands are open.

I think if [Jedrzejczyk and I] fought again, it’s a tough fight. Joanna is one of the best fighters in the world. Who knows where the fight’s gonna go, but I definitely feel it would go differently than the first time. I’m not one who’s hungry for rematches, for this person or that person, I just want that top spot. Whoever it’s gonna be: whether it’s Joanna, it’s Weili, or whoever. I’m not chasing any specific person—aside from Claudia and the rivalry—but I’m game for whoever will get me to that title shot.

CHAMP: WEILI ZHANG
1. Rose Namajunas – Nose surgery last month
2. Jessica Andrade – Two-fight losing streak
3. Tatiana Suarez – Recover from inflamed disks in her neck
4. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Lost to the champ in March
5. Nina Ansaroff – With child
6. Claudia Gadelha – Booked for Yan Xiaonan on 9/26
7. Carla Esparza – Title shot??!?

What do you think UG, does Esparza get the next shot at Zhang? If not her, who? Jedrzejczyk rematch?

h/t Mike Heck for MMA Fighting