Veteran Rose Namajunas ready for ‘savage’ challenge from Maycee Barber after first flyweight win

After her first win in the division, Rose Namajunas has her eyes on the UFC women’s flyweight. And she'll answer any and all callout that motivates her.

Veteran Rose Namajunas ready for ‘savage’ challenge from Maycee Barber after first flyweight win

Rose Namajunas is waiting on a savage callout after defeating Amanada Ribas (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

For Rose Namajunas, there is only one way forward after getting a win in the flyweight division. Stepping into the main event of UFC on ESPN 53, rival Amanda Ribas was open to all opportunities. She does rank #7 and #8 in official strawweight/flyweight listings. However, the ‘Thug’ of the strawweight class, and a former women’s champ is now gunning for the flyweight gold. Having bagged her first flyweight win in her 2nd outing, she’s out for more.

Fighting rising contender Manon Fiorot in France, Namajunas faced a losing affair in her debut. Similar to that, the absence of long-time coach Trevor Wittman from her 2nd outing had stirred fight fans. However, she answered blow for blow and came out on top against Ribas. During her UFC Vegas 89 post-fight Octagon interview, she said:

I’ll be watching that Manon and Erin Blanchfield [fight]...I wanted to fight either one of those for this fight, but I lost to Manon. So if I can get a rematch with her if she wins, or even Maycee [Barber]...I know she looked incredible, as well. [I’ll fight] either one of those girls.
Rose Namajunas during her Octagon interview
YouTube video

Losing her divisional debut this last September, Rose Namajunas was careful. Sporting a champion mindset, she answered Ribas’ explosive unorthodox spinning leg kicks and slicers. But, never once resorted to anything as such. Ringing true to play-by-play Laura Sanko‘s assessment, the former champ has had quite a few title affairs go the full length of 5 rounds. Not her first rodeo.

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At the post-fight presser, she yet again leaned on accepting a challenge from Maycee Barber. She instigated that #4 ranking flyweight Barber used to call her out early on in her tenure. Now, high on the horses of her win, Namajunas is thus ready for such a callout.

Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas: UFC on ESPN 53 result

Veteran Rose Namajunas holds highlight victories over Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade, and Zhang Weili. So she’s no stranger to keeping it calm and cool. She met a fiery challenger in Amanda Ribas, who lit up the WMMA scene ever since her debut.

Rose Namajunas won at UFC on ESPN 53
Rose Namajunas won at UFC on ESPN 53 (Source: Twitter)

‘Thug’ started off slow and steady, pressing on with definitive jabs and rights. Ribas, unorthodox, answered with a left hook and her signature leg-spinning body kick. With a strong down-torso movement, she wobbled Namajunas to the cage. Who reversed with a calculated jab and good knees. A clean left from Namajunas stunned the rival. She even got out quickly of her head-and-arm throw and ended on a mount.

A flurry of left hands later, Namajunas briefly managed to take down Ribas. Ribas went for a knee bar, but Namajunas escaped similarly. ‘Thug’ proceeded with good ground control.

With fewer spin-kicks from wobbly and slower Ribas, Namajunas had big combos. When they clinched and Namajunas connected a few knees. Ribas managed yet another takedown. Controlling from half guard, stagnant against the cage.

Well into the last 2, ‘Thug’ got a takedown. The striker in Rose Namajunas pokes her high guards. Ribas went with a series of spinning kicks to the head, but Namajunas skillfully leaned back. Another right from Namajunas. Leg kick by Namajunas; and the curtain calls.

Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47). She advanced to 12-6 MMA, and 10-5 UFC with one in the win column.

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