Former UFC champ Carla Esparza meets Danielle Kelly in FURY Professional Grappling 3 headliner

Thursday's event streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza, the current No. 2-ranked contender in the UFC's 115-pound division, will face fast-rising grappling superstar Danielle Kelly in the main event of Thursday's FURY Professional Grappling 3, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

Esparza replaces Rose Namajunas, who was removed from the card due to COVID-19 protocol, and now faces Kelly in the night's featured match at Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.

"Carla is a former UFC champion who is expected to compete for the title again early next year, and we are thrilled to have her compete in the main event of this card, which is absolutely our most stacked event to date," Cage Fury Fighting Championships President Rob Haydak said. "Carla's powerful wrestling game will provide a difficult challenge for Danielle and her slick submission skills, which makes for a very intriguing main event."

Esparza is currently riding a five-fight winning streak under the UFC banner, taking out the likes of Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson, Alexa Grasso and Virna Jandiroba. "The Cookie Monster" was the UFC's inaugural strawweight champion, submitting Namajunas in their first meeting to claim the title in 2014.

Esparza was also a two-time NAIA All-American wrestler while competing at Menlo College under Olympian Lee Allen.

FURY Professional Grappling 3 streams live Thursday on UFC FIGHT PASS at 7:30 p.m. ET. Current All Elite Wrestling superstar and two-time UFC veteran CM Punk calls the action alongside MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan.

Additional featured matchups include Sean Brady vs. Craig Jones, Clay Guida vs. Billy Quarantillo and Chase Hooper vs. Renato Moicano, among others. A full lineup is listed below…

Stay tuned to CFFC.tv for additional information regarding FURY Professional Grappling 3.

ABOUT CAGE FURY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Considered one of the best developmental mixed martial arts organizations in the industry, Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) hosts events across the United States with an emphasis on cultivating the best and brightest talent in the sport. CFFC events are broadcast live on UFC FIGHT PASS, the leading digital subscription service for fight fans.

Founded in 2006, CFFC has served as home to a variety of UFC stars, including Anthony Smith, Jimmie Rivera, Aljamain Sterling, Kimbo Slice, Paul Felder, Jim Miller, Nick Catone, Lyman Good, Katlyn Chookagian, Shane Burgos and Jared Gordon. Led by its respected President Rob Haydak, CFFC’s executive team consists of sports and entertainment industry executives who have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in the world.

MAIN CARD

Danielle Kelly vs. Carla Esparza
[MAIN EVENT]

Sean Brady vs. Craig Jones
Joe Solecki vs. Donald Cerrone
Clay Guida vs. Billy Quarantillo
Chase Hooper vs. Renato Moicano
Nicky Rod vs. Steve Mowry
Kevin Holland vs. Kody Hamrah
Neil Magny vs. Joaquim Silva
Philip Rowe vs. Jonathan Piersma

PRELIMS

Alex Caceres vs. Eddy Torres
Phil Hawes vs. Andre Petroski
Gillian Robertson vs. Chrissy Briggs

EARLY PRELIMS

Matt Pontano vs. Eiad Kassis
Ryot Quinn vs. Brayden Cain