“(Thinking about winning Saturday) gives me goosebumps because for me, winning the title at this point, almost eight years later, really solidifies that I am one of the best that has been out there, but not just for that one fleeting moment in time,” said Esparza. “I didn’t go out there and have one flashy victory; I’ve been consistently getting better and better.”
If she’s successful, Esparza will add her name to the UFC record books for a second time, as she would surpass Hall of Famer Randy Couture for the longest amount of time between championship victories.
“The Natural” went 2,298 days between winning the heavyweight title for a second time at UFC 28 and claiming the belt for a third time at UFC 68; Saturday is 2,704 days since Esparza claimed the title for the first time.
In a way, it’s fitting that it is Couture’s record that Esparza would eclipse, because the 34-year-old former champion sees a victory this weekend as her way of ensuring that she’s one day enshrined alongside the former five-time champion.
“For me, it’s a dream to be in the UFC Hall of Fame, and, to me, this would solidify my spot,” she said.
When I suggested that she’s probably got a good chance to getting in regardless — what with being the first champion in the division’s history and all — Saturday’s challenger fired off a quick counter strike that landed flush and drove home exactly where her head is at heading into this weekend.
“Well that’s how I got the title fight,” she said, laughing. “You’ve gotta get the one extra win to make sure there is no discussion, so that it’s just, ‘You’re in!’”
