Despite two losses in a row, including her flyweight debut, Chael Sonnen believes that Rose Namajunas remains the ‘real deal’ at 125lbs ahead of UFC Vegas 89.
Considering the outstanding legacy and resume of Rose Namajunas, the former strawweight queen is still only just entering her prime and at 31 years old, has the opportunity to get back into the win column in a big way this weekend at UFC Vegas 89.
Rose Namajunas headlines UFC Vegas 89 against Amanda Ribas
The former strawweight world champion headlines this weekend’s UFC Vegas 89 fight night card from the Apex, where she will face the #8 ranked flyweight contender Amanda Ribas.
‘Thug’ Rose is coming off back-to-back decision losses against Carla Esparza and Manon Fiorot, with the latter being her first fight in at 125lbs.
Standing across from her on Saturday night will be the 12-4 Ribas, who has the momentum after bouncing back from a KO loss to Maycee Barber with an impressive TKO victory over Luana Pinheiro in November.
At the time of writing, Namajunas is a slight betting favorite over Amanda Ribas, as per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Chael Sonnen is backing Namajunas to turn back the clock
Whilst many fans and pundits were writing Rose Namajunas out of any potential title contention at 125lbs after a lackluster performance against Manon Fiorot in her flyweight debut, Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe that ‘Thug’s’ best days are behind her.
Speaking via the latest episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN, Sonnen said that Namajunas still has the skills to make another run for UFC gold: “I’m a believer, they’re coming back [to 125lbs] and they’re doing it for one reason and one reason only which is a title hunt.”
“Rose liked her performance at 125lbs, and I know that is contrary to the narrative that so many people believe but Rose broke her hand in the first round of that fight…She thought that she was competing really well, that she could make a [title] run.”
“I do think that she’s the real deal, I really do, [and] I do not think her best days are over,” he said.
“Rose is a handful [at 125lbs] and five rounds is what is made for her, the pressure [and] the spotlight doesn’t affect Rose Namajunas.”
Ribas could ‘steal the headlines’ with a statement knockout
Whilst the bookies are favoring Namajunas to get the job done on Saturday evening, Ribas will be looking to earn the biggest win of her career to date over the former world champion.
The Brazilian made headlines earlier in the week when she predicted a KO/TKO finish of Namajunas, who has only been knocked out once in her professional career to date.
“Amanda Ribas is a savage, and she is a striker that is going to look to take Rose out early and she’ll do that at every opportunity she gets,” commented Daniel Cormier.
“If she can beat Rose then that’s significant, if she can knock her out like she says she can do Daniel, I think that will, in fact, steal the headline,” responded the ‘Bad Guy’.
Namajunas vs Ribas takes place this Saturday from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.