Former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas picked up her first win as a flyweight at UFC on Vegas 89 on March 23. She headlined the event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas against eighth-ranked Amanda Ribas.
Namajunas defeated Ribas via unanimous decision and debuted in the Top 10 women’s flyweight rankings. This was her second fight in the 125 pound weight category. She made her flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot last December and lost by decision.
Namajunas made the move up a weight class after losing the strawweight title to Carla Esparza in a rematch at UFC 274. Second-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield believes Namajunas is a better as a strawweight.
Blanchfield stated, “I believe she’s better off at 115.” The MMA Hour. “Moving up a weight category ten pounds is a huge percentage of your weight, especially if you are that small.
“She defeated Ribas. But Ribas was also someone who fought in 115. Blanchfield continued, “She is not that big a girl.” “She fought Manon once and lost. She’s an excellent fighter. I think he is very skilled, but I believe she will be outsized at 125.
Blanchfield…
