Rose Namajunas has fired back at Manon Fiorot’s claims that she should return to the Strawweight division.
The duo sent the UFC Paris crowd into hysterics on Saturday night, as they battled it out to become the number one contender at Women’s Flyweight. It was Fiorot that emerged victorious following a gruelling three rounds, beating ‘Thug Rose‘ on her 125 lbs debut.
Size didn’t seem to be an issue for Namajunas, but instead a dislocated finger injury she suffered in Round One. The 31-year-old found herself on the wrong end of a 30-27, 29-28, 29-29 scorecard after the final bell.
It was certainly a close fight, and Namajunas managed to land a number of powerful shots on her octagon counterpart. Many were left impressed with the American’s performance considering the circumstances, especially the fact she continued advancing despite not being able to form a fist.
Rose Namajunas On Manon Fiorot Comments
After the fight, Fiorot described how it was “impossible” for Namajunas to land a takedown. The Frenchwoman put this down to her opponent’s size, suggesting she should return to 115 lbs because “the flyweights are too strong for her.”
This comment has seemingly angered ‘Thug Rose‘, who is now planning for the next stage of her professional career.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, she said: “Definitely rematch comes to mind or I’ll get her eventually because I almost beat her with one hand. That’s my biggest gripe, I didn’t listen to nothing. I gave Manon respect. I was the one that walked up to her, shook her hand, [said] good job, good fight, blah, blah, blah.
“When she was sitting on the stool, I was standing up, ready to go two more rounds with one hand. Then I didn’t listen to the rest of her interview, everything she said word for word but I did see a headline she says I’m too small and I didn’t win a round.”
Namajunas continued: “I disagree with both of those things. I think I dropped your ass, so I’m definitely not too small. I might have had some moments of freaking out because I couldn’t grip my fingers together or I couldn’t make a fist but definitely not too small.
“If anything, why were you running away from [somebody] too small? Why did you originally call me out if I’m too small? I have no problems if she thinks she won. Great. Respect. But don’t say I’m too small because that’s not the case at all.”
Future Career Plans
UFC Paris marked Namajunas’ first bout in the women’s flyweight division. The 31-year-old came into the contest off the back of a split decision loss to Carla Esparza for the Strawweight title back in May 2022.
Before that, ‘Thug Rose‘ had earned three successive victories against Jéssica Andrade and Weili Zhang, with the two against the latter providing career-best performances.
Namajunas went on to swiftly reject an immediate return to 115 lbs, insisting that weight cut is now too difficult.
She said: “I’m definitely going to stay [at flyweight]. “I want to put a little more muscle on, I don’t want to go back down [to strawweight], definitely not. I’ve felt so much better not cutting that weight.
“I already did conquer 115 and to go and do that again, that just seems harder than conquering 125 because of that freaking weight cut. Seriously. Draining your body like that is not good. Your kidneys and your brain and all that stuff.
“Plus I have a little more time. I’m going to definitely be lifting some freaking weights more. I’ve already been lifting a lot and I got a lot stronger but next time will be even more.”
Namajunas has not set a date for an octagon return, yet it seems she may not wish to be out for long given her recent run of form. Fans will have to wait patiently for any confirmation of the American’s next opponent.
Do you agree with Manon Fiorot’s comments? Do you think Rose Namajunas was correct to respond? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
