March 24, 2024 1:21 am ET
Previous UFC strawweight champ Rose Namajunas got a much-needed success in the primary occasion of UFC on ESPN 53.
Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) shared the octagon with Amanda Ribas at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas in a females’s flyweight bout that went all 5 rounds. When the dust settled, Namajunas emerged triumphant over Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC), getting her very first win at 125 pounds by consentaneous choice (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).
Ribas was on the hunt early, pushing forward with punches and kicks before Namajunas might settle. Simply as the previous strawweight champ started discovering her variety with counters, Ribas changed things up with a good takedown. The battle rapidly returned to the feet, where both fighters would land tidy punches before going back to the ground after Namajunas reversed a takedown.
In Round 2, Namajunas circled around on the outdoors throughout striking exchanges, landing well-timed punches as Ribas tried to find a couple of spinning kicks at the end of her mixes. The previous champ’s striking benefit started to shine offensively and defensively.
Namajunas continued her success on the feet early in Round 3 by darting in and out with fast punches. Ribas missed out on with a couple of spinning attacks, however got a tidy takedown, ultimately taking leading position after a turnaround and another toss to land strong ground and pound to liquidate the frame.
Striking exchanges blazed a trail in Round 4 before a takedown midway through resulted in Namajunas taking the top. Ribas was active from her back with brief strikes, however so was Namajunas with punches to the body as she kept position from complete guard.
Ribas began the last round with tough kicks, however Namajunas quickly started circling around and landing tidy, darting punches. Ribas continued to try to find spinning attacks as she kept forward pressure. Namajunas fasted to avert, then continued to stick and move up until the horn.
The judges all scored the battle in Namajunas’ favor, offering the previous champ her very first win considering that 2021.
HOOLIGAN ROSE HAS RETURNED @RoseNamajunas triumphes of 5 difficult combated rounds! #UFCVegas 89 pic.twitter.com/MsEttXHgJA
— UFC (@ufc) March 24, 2024
Throughout her post-fight interview, Namajunas stated she will be keeping a close eye on next weekend’s heading bout, Manon Fiorot, and Erin Blanchfield as a prospective next challenger.
Namajunas’ last triumph was available in a strawweight title defense versus existing champ Zhang Weili. She would go on to lose a split choice to Carla Esparza and after that a consentaneous choice to Fiorot in a transfer to flyweight.
Ribas stopped working to keep the momentum pursuing a November win over Luana Pinheiro. She has actually traded wins and losses over her previous 7 battles, however she has actually been not able to string together a set of wins because 2020.
Red-hot UFC on ESPN 53 outcomes consist of:
- Rose Namajunas def.