Rose Namajunas returns to the UFC Octagon this coming weekend at UFC Vegas 89, as she takes on eighth-ranked flyweight, Amanda Ribas.
‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas‘ last fight was her first at 125lbs, and she found herself on the wrong side of a decision against French flyweight, Manon Fiorot.
Amanda Ribas on the other hand has switched between strawweight and flyweight for her past four fights, with her last coming at strawweight where she knocked out Luana Pinheiro.
Rose Namajunas confused by the ‘super strange’ women’s rankings
She told the media at UFC Vegas 89 media day that one of the reasons she took the fight with Ribas was because of Ribas’ exciting fight style, and because she is ranked at flyweight.
“I got offered (Ribas fight) a little bit earlier for this fight but I wasn’t 100% ready just with some personal stuff and then I got re-offered for March 23rd and I was like yes that’s perfect.
“Excitement (when offered the fight) because of how she fights, her energy, her skills, and the fact she’s in the top 10.” Rose added.
Despite the 31-year-old’s ‘excitement’, she did admit that she has been confused by the ‘super strange’ women’s rankings, considering she isn’t ranked at flyweight nor strawweight but is ranked in the women’s pound-for-pound list.
“For some reason, I’m not ranked or whatever, even though I’m in the pound-for-pound ranks so that’s super strange but I’m like ok. I never really paid attention to the rankings but now I’m like yeah, it’d be nice to be ranked so all of those things combined I was just very excited to hear her name.” Rose admitted.
How Rose sees the matchup stylistically
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The Brazilian Ribas’ last flyweight fight came against Maycee Barber, in which she suffered a second-round knockout loss, and over her four fights at flyweight, she is 2-2.
Ahead of her first UFC main event, the 30-year-old has predicted a third-round knockout over former strawweight Queen.
Speaking to the media, ‘Thug’ Rose spoke about Ribas’ qualities, saying: “I know she’s very tough and I know that she’s not a quitter, even when she’s losing the fight she’s still looking for a way to win or something, so I know I that I have to be prepared for that.
“I know I have to be prepared for five rounds regardless, especially with her but the thing is I have a lot of five-round experience so I know how to prepare for that and it makes me feel better that I have that time to do whatever it is that I have to do, but as soon as I get the opportunity to finish I’m finishing.”
This will mark Namajunas’ seventh five-round fight during her nine-year UFC tenure.