In the Clinch: Namajunas’ Focus in Question Ahead of Ribas Match, UFC Vegas 89 – No one can deny Rose Namajunas climbed the strawweight mountaintop. But are the bright lights of Hollywood beckoning her from her MMA career?
Namajunas (11-6-0), 31, the former two-time strawweight champion, is still unranked after moving up to flyweight in September 2023. She lost her debut bout to No. 3 Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night 226. The defeat is in addition to a disappointing split-decision loss to Carla Esparza at UFC 274 in May 2020. That loss cost her the strawweight title.
But in Hollywood, Namajunas is making some major moves. Two years after her documentary Thug Rose: Mixed Martial Artist debuted on UFC Fight Pass, her latest project is underway. The feature length movie called Strawweight, will feature A-listers Lupita Nyong’o and Chloe Grace Moretz.
Strawweight is about two UFC fighters in competition with each other who must eventually face each other in a title rematch. Namajunas is listed as the executive producer of the movie and fight consultant.
The official release date of Strawweight is to be determined. Predictably, some fans are wondering if Namajunas‘ focus is entirely on mixed martial arts.
Meanwhile, Amanda Ribas (13-4-0), 30, is coming off a performance bonus after spin wheel kicking Luana Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 82 last November. She’s split her last four fights and has three knockout stoppages among her four defeats.
Ribas comes in confident she can use her striking to stop Namajunas, predicting a third-round stoppage in recent interviews. She is adept on the ground as is Namajunas and will probably play it by ear where she wants to take the fight.
On paper, I think Ribas has the slight advantage being the bigger fighter with more experience at flyweight, although this is her first main event with five rounds. She has fought ground wizards Mackenzie Dern, Virna Jandiroba, and Viviane Araujo as well as strikers Marina Rodriguez and Katlyn Cerminara and has won most of those fights.
Never underestimate the heart of a champion. The Rose will tell.
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Rose Namajunas
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