Esparza edges Namajunas in timid fight to reclaim UFC strawweight title

More than seven years after winning the inaugural UFC strawweight title, Carla Esparza is once again on top.

Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47) in the UFC 274 co-main event to become the new 115-pound champion Saturday night in Phoenix.

Esparza previously beat Namajunas by third-round submission in the 2014 final of "The Ultimate Fighter 20" to become the promotion's first strawweight champ.

The rematch was one of the most lackluster championship affairs in UFC history. Esparza and Namajunas traded only a few shots on the feet in each round, while Esparza landed a couple of takedowns throughout the contest but registered minimal offense on the ground. Most of the frames could have gone either way.

Esparza has now won six consecutive fights, while Namajunas' three-fight winning streak ended.