Gadelha and Esparza have a long history of rivalry, which lasts from 2013, when they had to fight for the title of Invicta FC. Promotion twice organized this fight, but first Claudia canceled the fight because of a fracture of her nose, and then dropped out, hitting the hospital a day before the tournament.
Under UFC banner Gadelha (15-3) had seven fights, having won in four and having suffered three defeats. Her last fight was last September, when she lost by decision to her compatriot Jessica Andrade.
Esparza (13-4) in the first fight under the banners of UFC won the vacant belt, but in the next fight gave it away to Joanne Jedzeychik. After losing the belt, the American had four fights, and came out of the cage three times as a winner.