Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is leaving no stone unturned in her preparation for a critical UFC 324 flyweight bout against striking dynamo Natalia Silva. With a potential title shot against Valentina Shevchenko on the line, ‘Thug Rose’ has radically upgraded her camp, enlisting 2024 Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Kristina Teachout to sharpen her stand-up arsenal.
The high-stakes matchup, set for January 24th, took on new significance after the original opponent, Alexa Grasso, withdrew due to injury. Now facing the undefeated Silva—a fighter renowned for her precise, taekwondo-based striking—Namajunas is undergoing a specialised training camp with an Olympic fighter to bridge any technical gaps. “Bringing in Kristina is about adding new layers to my game,” Namajunas stated. “We’re focusing on kicks, movement, and reactions you can only learn from that level of competition.”
This fight represents a crucial moment in Namajunas’s flyweight division transition. A decisive victory could catapult the two-time strawweight queen into a long-awaited championship opportunity against the dominant Shevchenko. “Valentina is the GOAT for a reason,” Namajunas acknowledged. “But to earn that chance, I have to get through a very dangerous, undefeated fighter first. That’s my entire focus.”
The event itself marks a major milestone as the first UFC on Paramount+ under a new multi-billion dollar broadcast deal, adding promotional weight to Namajunas’s quest. A standout performance from the popular star would be a major coup for the debut, intensifying the demand for a future Namajunas vs Shevchenko title fight.
The Silva Challenge: A Striking Chess Match
In Natalia Silva, Rose Namajunas faces one of the division’s most unique and perilous tests. Silva’s flawless UFC record is built on a foundation of unorthodox, long-range kicking attacks adapted from her taekwondo roots. This striking specialist Natalia Silva presents a stark stylistic contrast to the boxer-grappler mix Namajunas has traditionally faced.
Namajunas’s partnership with Teachout is a direct counter to this threat. The collaboration aims to deconstruct Silva’s timing and footwork while injecting new, unpredictable kicking techniques into Namajunas’s own offence. This strategic preparation for Natalia Silva underscores Namajunas’s evolution from a pure martial artist into a sophisticated fight strategist, aware that a one-dimensional approach won’t suffice at flyweight’s elite level.
Frequently Asked Questions: Namajunas at UFC 324
Why did Rose Namajunas change her training for UFC 324?
After Alexa Grasso’s injury, Rose Namajunas now faces the elite striking of Natalia Silva. She brought in Olympic bronze medallist Kristina Teachout specifically to elevate her kick defence and offensive versatility for this unique challenge.
What is at stake for Rose Namajunas against Natalia Silva?
A win at UFC 324 is widely seen as the final step to secure a flyweight title shot against champion Valentina Shevchenko, making this the most important fight of Namajunas’s move to 125lbs.
How will an Olympic taekwondo fighter help Namajunas?
Kristina Teachout provides world-class insight into the timing, distance management, and technical kicking game that defines Silva’s style, offering a crucial strategic advantage in the Namajunas training camp.
When is UFC 324 and where can I watch it?
UFC 324 takes place on January 24th. It is the inaugural UFC event on Paramount+ in the UK, marking the start of the promotion’s new broadcast partnership.
Who is Rose Namajunas’s ultimate goal in the flyweight division?
Namajunas has consistently stated her goal is to challenge flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko, whom she considers the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time.
