Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is gearing up for an eagerly awaited comeback to the octagon following a nearly year-long break.
Her last outing took place at the UFC 274 pay-per-view event in May 2022, resulting in a split decision loss to Carla Esparza, which led to her relinquishing the title.
She has competed in grappling since, losing to 125lbs UFC contender Gillian Robertson .
Now, Namajunas is ready for a fresh start in a new weight class as she aims to make her mark in the UFC flyweight division. She will make her debut at 125 pounds against the seasoned flyweight contender Manon Fiorot.
This thrilling matchup is set to occur at the upcoming UFC Paris event on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.
The news of Namajunas’ move to flyweight was initially reported by lowkickmma, with the publication stating, “Former champ Rose Namajunas is headed to 125 pounds for a showdown with Manon Fiorot in Paris.”
Following her title loss, Namajunas currently holds a professional record of 11 wins and 5 losses. On the other hand, her opponent, Manon Fiorot, is riding a remarkable 10 bout winning streak, with her sole loss dating back to 2018. Fiorot’s most recent victory came against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 280, where she demonstrated her skills and secured a unanimous decision win.
As UFC enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between Rose Namajunas and Manon Fiorot, the UFC Paris event promises to deliver an electrifying night of world-class mixed martial arts action. Both bring their unique strengths and styles to the octagon, setting the stage for a memorable showdown between two accomplished athletes.
Rose Namajunas has had a remarkable championship run in the UFC. At UFC 217 in Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2017, she faced off against the undefeated strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk as a significant underdog.
In an upset, Namajunas achieved a first-round knockout victory, capturing the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Her extraordinary win earned her the Performance of the Night bonus and marked her first knockout triumph as a professional.
‘Thug Rose! Thug Rose! Thug Rose!’ resonated through the arena as commentator Daniel Cormier’s iconic call echoed the victory at UFC 217.
Namajunas successfully defended her title in a highly anticipated rematch against Jedrzejczyk at UFC 223 on April 7, 2018. Displaying her skills and resilience, she emerged victorious with a unanimous decision.
Her second title defense took place at UFC 237 on May 11, 2019, in Brazil, against Jéssica Andrade. Despite a valiant effort, Namajunas suffered a second-round knockout loss, surrendering her title. Nonetheless, her performance earned her the FOTN honor.
Making a triumphant comeback, Rose Namajunas faced Zhang Weili for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at UFC 261 on April 24, 2021. With a stunning first-round knockout via a head kick, she became a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight World Champion, securing the Performance of the Night bonus.
In a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021, Namajunas defended her title with a hard-fought split decision win against Zhang.
However, her reign came to an end on May 7, 2022, when she lost the title to Carla Esparza in a closely contested split decision. The bout is widely panned as one of the worst UFC events of all time.
Undeterred by the setback, Rose Namajunas now embarks on a new chapter in a new weight class.
Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.