Carla Esparza Set to Defend Strawweight Title Against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185

Carla Esparza will make her first title defense at UFC 185. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

The matchup, which will serve as the co-headliner for the card, was revealed on UFC Tonight. The pay-per-view event takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas and features a lightweight title tilt between Anthony Pettis and Rafael dos Anjos. The bill also includes a welterweight clash pitting Matt Brown against Johny Hendricks.

Esparza, 27, will be fighting for the first time since finishing Rose Namajunas at “The Ultimate Fighter 20” finale, where she became the promotion’s inaugural 115-pound champion. Prior to her stint on the reality show, “Cookie Monster” was the first Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight queen as well.

Jedrzejczyk, 27, has taken the UFC by storm since defeating Juliana de Lima Carneiro at UFC on Fox 12. Praised by UFC President Dana White for her tenacity, the Polish fighter earned her title shot against Esparza by edging out Claudia Gadelha via split decision at UFC on Fox 13.