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 said: “I think that she is better at 115.” The MMA Hour. “I believe that moving up by ten pounds, from 115 to 125, is a significant percentage of body weight for someone who is so small.
“She defeated Ribas. But Ribas was also a fighter who fought in 115. Blanchfield added, “She’s not a big girl.” “She lost the fight she had with Manon. She’s an excellent fighter. “I think he has a lot to offer, but she will be slightly oversized at 125.”
Blanchfield…
