Rose Namajunas has managed to win over one of the most coveted fighters in the strawweight division last Thursday. So what’s next for her?
Namajunas, who is now currently holding a record of 4-2 MMA and 2-1 UFC, has emerged victorious over Paige VanZant, who is currently dubbed as one of the most promising strawweight MMA fighters in the UFC. VanZant, who is now holding a record of 6-2 MMA and 3-1 UFC, submitted to a rear-end choke towards the end of the fifth round of UFC’s Fight Night 80.
Back in 2014, Namajunas participated in “The Ultimate Fighter 20” and was able to last until the reality show’s final bout. Unfortunately, she faced a devastating loss to Carla Esparza along with getting the chance on a strawweight title bout.
So what can be the next step for her after winning at UFC Fight Night?
“There’s a lot to think about right now. I definitely – I feel like I would be ready for the title shot vs. whoever’s going to have it at the time, but I also want to get a little vacation time in and sit back and just enjoy the holidays. But if there’s an opponent for me, like before that – like one more and then the title (shot) or just the title (shot) right away, (that’s OK),” Namajunas said after the said event which was held at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
As of the moment, MMA champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who has a current record of 11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC, is currently at the top of the division. According to Dana White, the president of the UFC, she is scheduled to go against Claudia Gadelha, who holds a record of 13-1 MMA and 2-1 UFC, for the second time this coming 2016. This set up could actually become very beneficial to Namajunas.
Ever since Namajunas lost the title bid last year, she admitted that has been working very hard in the gym. She said that during training, she always puts herself first and doesn’t allow any outside voices to get in her way. It’s the same reason why she doesn’t mind waiting a little bit longer before she gets inside the cage again for the 115-pound MMA belt.
“There were some things I feel like I could improve if I had been more comfortable in certain spots. It was definitely a great performance, but I feel like I can always improve,” she added.