After feeling like she came very close in her flyweight debut, former 115lb champ “Thug” Rose Namajunas wanted to get right back to work.
While the MMA world at large might have been questioning Namajunas’ future after a loss to Manon Fiorot last September, Rose herself never had any doubts.
“I just had that taste of like, man. Usually I get down on myself after a loss but it just motivated me so much more,” Namajunas (11-6) explained during this week’s UFC Vegas 89 media day. “I knew after that fight I wanted to get right back in there, but I had to heal my pinky, had some other personal stuff I had to figure out.”
“And then it took me a little bit to kind of get those things in order but as soon as I was ready, I was looking for a fight. I got offered a little bit earlier for this fight but I wasn’t 100% ready, just with some personal stuff and then I got offered March 23, and I was like ‘yeah that’s perfect.'”
Namajunas is paired up with Amanda Ribas in the main event of UFC Vegas 89, housed at the Apex in Las Vegas— a bit of an oddity for Namajunas, who has become accustomed to big crowds. Luckily, with her Ultimate Fighter stint, the change in scenery shouldn’t be too jarring. And as for Ribas, it was a name that had Rose Namajunas excited for several reason.
“Her energy, her skills. The fact that she’s in the top 10,” listed Namajunas. “Because for some reason I’m not ranked or whatever, even though I’m pound-for-pound ranked. So it’s super strange. But I’m like ‘okay.'”
Namajunas is, in fact, ranked #8 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings, but doesn’t appear in either the strawweight or flyweight divisional rankings. A strange situation to be sure.
“I never really paid attention to rankings, but now I’m like ‘it’d be nice to be ranked.’ So all of those things combined, I was just very excited to hear that name,” she continued. “But I was ready for anybody, I didn’t care who popped up.”
While she’s on a two-fight skid, Namajunas is still shooting for the top. Her goals for 2024 include claiming gold in a second weight class, if possible.
“Becoming two division champion this year would be awesome, but I know that’s a very steep mountain to climb. And I know I’ve had some setbacks. So obviously I’ve got to be realistic, but I do believe that’s very realistic, and anything God willing, that’s what’s going to happen. I’ve just got to take care of business this weekend, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 89 media day appearance by Rose Namajunas above.
