Former women’s strawweight champ “Thug” Rose Namajunas took a second stab at flyweight in the main event of UFC Vegas 89, taking on Amanda Ribas.
Namajunas had come up short in her maiden voyage at 125lbs, losing to Manon Fiorot last September. In order to keep any dream of a second title alive, the future Hall of Famer needed a different outcome at the Apex on Saturday.
Ribas opted to start the fight in a southpaw stance, while Namajunas displayed solid footwork, darting in and out, targeting the body and head. Ribas would fire off a spinning back kid just under two minutes in, then land the first takedown of the fight— from which Namajunas quickly recovered.
Back on the feet, Rose landed knees in a clinch up along the fence before they broke and moved back to center. A right hand for Ribas landed, but a better left for Rose answered. The pair then went to the ground again, with Namajunas ending up on top even though Ribas had initiated the takedown.
Round two saw a stance switch from Rose Namajunas, and a right hand for the ex-champ connected inside the opening minute. A left hit home shortly after. Ribas fired off another spinning back kick, which made a partial connection. The next spinning kick sailed wide for Ribas, however, as did several punches with Rose proving elusive.
Namajunas then shot in on a takedown, with Ribas back up before it was really landed. Moments later, as they came together, Ribas rolled into a kneebar, but wasn’t in position. Soon enough, Namajunas wound up on top, where she would finish the round in a strong showing.
Round three saw more action on the feet, with Ribas relying on more of her spinning kicks, but all too often falling short on her more orthodox attacks. A takedown care of a bodylock with two minutes on the clock appeared to shift momentum, but Namajunas reversed and was almost immediately back to her feet. From there, she drove Amanda Ribas into the fence.
The pair were on the ground again in round four, with Namajunas on top, in control. Ribas was starting to look a bit concerned, unable to get Rose off of her. Unable to find any submission attempts off her back, Ribas fired an elbow or two instead. She would then close her guard, with Namajunas landing ground n’ pound and eat time off the clock.
Namajunas entered round five almost certainly up in the fight, with Ribas likely in need of a finish, or at the very least a 10-8 round. Rose, however, was still far too elusive on the feet, simply not there to be hit, footwork serving her well. Perhaps knowing she was well ahead, Namajunas appeared to play it safe in the fifth, staying out of range, circling, and throwing kicks and jabs to keep Ribas at bay.
In the end, the strategy paid off, with Rose Namajunas cruising to a decision win. Snapping her two-fight skid in the process.
Official Result: Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
