RE: UFC 248 Reflections
you are totally right, for some reason I was thinking Zhang won the title against Joanna originally but that was obviously not the case. In any case I would think Joanna won't be cleared medically for a while (just a guess, haven't read anything about medical suspensions yet) and tbh I am kinda against the "immediate rematch" thing that the UFC seems to love to do so much when a title holder loses. It seems silly - if you lose the belt, you should have to fight at least one other contender first before a rematch. When they do the immediate rematches it leads to these stupid scenarios where then if the old champ wins the rematch, what, do you do an immediate rematch of the rematch because it is 1 - 1 now? Honestly I wish the UFC would just quit it with the immediate rematches.
They were actually both cleared medically and will be OK to compete again soon :). It depends, the champions sometimes have a rematch clause in their contract, but in this case, its just because: a) It wasn't a definitive win for the champion; and b) there just isn't any other deserving contender at this time. Carla Esparza is a former champ and riding a two fight win streak. If she can finish Michelle Waterson in their fight, then that could be the next one. But a fight also has to sell and Esparza just isn't an exciting fighter. But I agree with you too, a challenger should kind of earn another shot at the strap. People will be watching the Jessica vs. Rose fight closely.