Rose Namajunas has new options at 125 – 3 possible opponents
Rose Namajunas improved her record at women’s flyweight to 1-1 after dropping her debut in September of 2023 to Manon Fiorot. She defeated 8th ranked Amanda Ribas and now has her eyes set on another top ten matchup. For Namajunas, who has grown up in front of our eyes in the UFC, a second life at 125 is a breath of fresh air. So, who are her next potential matchups?
Settle the trilogy: Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade 3
My personal pick for Rose Namajunas next is the trilogy bout between she and Jessica Andrade. This serves a couple purposes for Namajunas. First, we settle that 1-1 score between two former champions. Andrade met with Namajunas for the first time in 2019 and slammed Namajunas on her head. Remember this?
This slam saw Namajunas lose her title in the second round and cost her a bunch of time off. The two rematched in Namajunas’ next fight. Andrade had lost her title in her first defense to Weili Zhang and was looking for a rebound. Namajunas would defeat Andrade in the rematch via split decision.
In addition to that, Jessica Andrade is currently ranked fifth in the women’s flyweight division. That would put Namajunas, who will be top ten come Tuesday, right in the thick of things and set up a date to tango with Valentina Shevchenko should she win or lose her next bout.
Maycee Barber: The next best thing
What ranking is better than beating number 5? Beating number 4, and that’s what Maycee Barber is ranked. Rose Namajunas called out Maycee Barber in her post fight speech as one of the options that could be next for her. If Namajunas wants to win a second title, that’s the best bet. Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot, her other callout, will fight this week and the winner will likely face the champ, whoever that may be.
Since losing two straight in 2020 and 2021, Barber has gone on a tear winning six straight. She’s beat former title contenders Katlyn Cerminara and Jessica Eye as well as Namajunas’ latest win Amanda Ribas.
Putting a former champion on Barber’s resume is big for her title hopes and Namajunas beating number four would put her right in contention.
The divisional gatekeeper
When I call Katlyn Cerminara (formerly Chookagian) the division gate keeper, I don’t mean that in a disrespectful manner. But when a contender looks to move up in the women’s 125 rankings and make a bid at the title, they’ve had to go through her. Antonia Shevchenko was thwarted, and Jessica Andrade prevailed.
Manon Fiorot and Maycee Barber beat Cerminara in her last two and this will call for Cerminara to fight down. She is currently ranked sixth. If Barber is intent on waiting it out and the UFC doesn’t want to book Andrade, then Cerminara is the next best thing.
