Rose Namajunas is going up to flyweight.
The former two-time UFC strawweight champion of the world is taking a big risk. She’s facing the #2 flyweight Manon Fiorot. Manon is trying to make a name for herself in the division and in the UFC, Namajunas is just what she needs to do that.
Namajunas on the other hand is trying something new. With big risks come big rewards and Rose is ready for the opportunity. She’s a former champion and is considered one of the greatest to ever compete at 115 pounds. Rose is trying to take the #2 position from Fiorot and line up a title shot at 125, a division that has recently become shaken up. Alexa Grasso is now the champion of the division. It’s a division that has been ruled by Valentina Shevchenko for many years.
Can Rose take out a top competitor in the flyweight division?
Rose was a competitor on TUF 20 and went to the finale. She lost her chance at the initial strawweight title against Carla Esparza in the final fight. A good striker with tricky ground skills Rose had to work her way back to a title shot.
Namajunas eventually did just that winning three fights in a row against Angela Hill, Paige VanZant, and Tecia Torres. It was a new division at the time and Rose was considered one of the best, however this time the title was owned by Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Joanna was considered almost unbeatable at the time and nobody really gave Rose a chance. It was Rose’s time to shock the world and that’s exactly what happened at UFC 217. Rose slayed Joanna she knocked her out in the first round.
Now Rose Namajunas has to do it again.
Manon Fiorot is that kind of striker, highly diverse with amazing power. The big difference this time is Rose is facing a bigger woman.
Rose Namajunas vs Manon Fiorot Fight Breakdown
In her mind Rose is the best, she’s proven it and it’s her mindset that really distinguishes Rose from the competition. She’s mentally unbreakable. She’s facing a top striker who fell in love with karate as a girl and eventually became a respectable Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer. Winning three national championships in K-1 and going 12-0 in Muay Thai as an amateur, Fiorot is one of the best in France.
This fight is co-headlining UFC in Paris on September 2nd, 2023.
Paulie G‘s breakdown:
I think it’s up to Namajunas here. As highly ranked as Fiorot is in the UFC she has not done what Rose has done. If Namajunas comes into this fight with confidence and she’s poised it should be her night. Fiorot is great but she doesn’t really add a new dynamic that The Thug hasn’t seen before. Rose made her name by destroying top strikers. Coming off a loss against Carla Esparza in her last fight there might be a shadow of doubt behind Rose. The reason is Fiorot has won ten in a row and 5 in a row in the UFC. Fiorot has all the momentum, Rose needs to get back on track.
As long Namajunas comes in with her strong mindset she has a chance, she can’t be broken mentally and expect a win. Both woman are great but I’m picking Manon Fiorot to win. I’m a believer in momentum and Rose has gone off track. I do think Rose Namajuanas is the more skilled woman but at this point in time I think it’s Manon’s time. She will be at home so Rose will have to travel somewhere new and overall I just don’t see Rose stopping the streak Manon has put together. Beating Chookagian in her last fight a woman who is big and strong and was on a four-fight streak in the UFC it looks like Fiorot is the obvious pick at least for me.
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