As the saying goes, every ‘Thug’ Rose has its thorn, and Rose Namajunas is certainly feeling the thorny side of sport now. The American aims to bounce back from losing her belt and her most recent bout against Manon Fiorot. She clashes with Amanda Ribas this weekend at UFC Vegas 89 in a crossroads bout at 125 pounds.
Namajunas shot to to the top of the strawweight world in 2017 at age 24, after she beat Joanna Jedrzejczyk by first-round knockout. That win cemented her in the history books as one of the youngest champions in UFC history.
However, things have been rough going for Namajunas as of late. She lost her title to Carla Esparza by split decision at UFC 274. Throughout the five rounds, she landed only 37 strikes and picked up a takedown, but only had 10 seconds of control time throughout the fight.
Rose Namajunas in Crucial Spot
Namajunas (11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is one of the greatest female fighters to ever grace the Octagon, but she’s hit a skid as of late. Her output in her last fight picked up significantly, as she landed 60 significant strikes in her three-round fight against Fiorot. However, Ribas brings a ton of output on the feet as a very dangerous fighter.
This fight marks Ribas’ second in a row at flyweight, and the same number of fights goes for Namajunas. With a win, either fighter could shoot up the top ten in the division. As such, this fight remains one of the most important of the year so far.
What Does Namajunas Have to Do to Save Her Career?
Rose Namajunas is in a sticky situation, as Ribas is explosive on both the feet and the ground. Namajunas was a grappler by trade, and this is what she has to do to defend against Ribas’ plus striking.
Clinch work is imperative for Namajunas, as she cannot let Ribas gain room for slick combinations. She has to control the pace of the fight, as Ribas thrives with a high-level output. She attempts nearly five strikes a minute at 4.92, while Namajunas sits at a much slower 3.68 per minute pace.
Namajunas needs to slow things down and get Ribas to the fence, where she can then go to work. The trouble arises in trying to get Ribas out by finish, as she is dangerous on the ground. However, she is not as dangerous on her back.
The wrist lock has to be an important part of Namajunas’ game on the ground. Maintaining wrist control not only allows her to grab a takedown, but prevents Ribas from advancing on the ground, giving her time to work and establish a dominant position.
This also has the added factor of keeping Ribas on her back once they get down there. If need be, Namajunas can bank rounds on top with the judges. In other words, Namajunas has to dictate every second of the fight.
She can stand with Ribas if she wants, but she has to have her footwork on point. She must step away from Ribas’ power or make proactive moves to deny Ribas the space to attempt big combinations and shots. Cutting her off at the Octagon corners forces Ribas to play her game.
In addition, Rose Namajunas has to have her head follow her feet in movement. She cannot get caught out leaning forward or Ribas puts her to sleep.
What Does This Fight Mean for Her?
This fight is crucial in the flyweight division, as Ribas is currently ranked eighth in the division. Namajunas left the strawweight rankings after her loss to Zhang Weili. However, she is ranked eighth in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, and this win places her square in the title picture at flyweight.
The bout is also important for the opposite reason. A loss here likely means Namajunas is out of the title picture for a long while. Losing three fights in a row also means that she could be on her way out of the promotion if she fails to right the ship soon.
More likely than not, this also means that Namajunas is going to get back to basics and what she does best; grapple. If she sticks to what she does best, she can easily dictate the fight and earn a much-needed victory to revive her career.
That being said, even a loss does not mean it is all over for Rose Namajunas. She was one of the youngest champions in UFC history. At only 31 years old, just barely entering her prime, it is very clear that Namajunas has a lot of gas left in her tank, and 125 pounds looks like her new home.
Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images
