Rose Namajunas believes a title shot in her new chosen weight class is not far away.
Namajunas moved up to flyweight after her second strawweight title attempt ended with a split decision loss to Carla Esparza at UFC 274. Namajunas lost a unanimous decision to Manon Fiorot in her flyweight debut at UFC Paris in September 2023. However, Namajunas then re-emerged in the flyweight division with a unanimous decision win over Amanda Rivas in March of this year.
Namajunas said winning a second title certainly motivated her to move up to flyweight, but it wasn’t her only reason.
“When I started my UFC career, that was kind of the vision I had in my head,” Namajunas told MMAjunkie.com. “I wasn’t super set in stone, but I definitely wanted to be a champion, and somewhere in my mind I wanted to be a two-division champion, but it was just a dream that was too far away. [had never been] “When I was champion before, I wasn’t sure if it was possible to do it, but now I know it is. Not only that, but each time I cut weight it got a little harder, and I ended up fighting the same guy over and over again.”
Namajunas will face last-minute replacement Tracy Cortez in the main event of UFC on ESPN 59 on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. “The Thug” will hope to immediately assert her presence in title contention with a win over Cortez, who is unbeaten since her pro debut in 2017.
“I think I’m right when it comes to the title race. [with a win]”God willing, I’m healthy, I’m in shape, I’m ready to win and take on any opportunity they give me. I think I’ll be fighting for the belt soon, so I just have to do my job and fight to the best of my ability and anything is possible,” Namajunas said.
