Tatiana Suarez explains callout of Rose Namajunas: “It’s just because I respect the hell out of her”
After nearly four years away from competition due to injury, Tatiana Suarez returned in an emphatic way at UFC Vegas 70 last weekend. Picking up her first win since 2019 with a second-round submission over Montana De La Rosa, Suarez let it be known that she’s back and ready for the biggest challenges that await her.
One of those challenges may be former two-time champion Rose Namajunas, who was called out by Tatiana Suarez after her win. Despite having success in her return to action in the flyweight division, Suarez plans to move back down to strawweight where she is aiming to face the former champion. During an appearance on ‘Unlocking The Cage’ with Jimmy Smith on Sirius XM, Suarez explained her callout of the former champion and unlike most callouts, this one comes from a place of respect and she wouldn’t mind the fight happening at 125 or 115 pounds.
"She's done a lot in the sport, so why I wouldn't I want to share the cage with someone so amazing?"
After a victorious return at #UFCVegas70, @tatianaufc says her callout of @rosenamajunas is all about 'respect' 👊@jimmysmithmma
Source: Unlocking the Cage with Jimmy Smith pic.twitter.com/YRdrwHfMKw
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) February 28, 2023
“I don’t even mind, I think I heard that she might go up, so if we can fight at 125 I wouldn’t mind doing that either. The only reason why I talk about Rose Namajunas so much, cause I’ve mentioned her name a couple of times, it’s just because I respect the hell out of her. It’s not like I think that’s an easy fight for me or nothing like that. I just respect her so much, I think she’s an amazing person, I’ve seen her multiple times, she seems like a very very genuine good person.”
Not only does Tatiana Suarez respect Namajunas as a person but she also feels that the former champion is a true martial artist, and that’s who she wants to face inside the Octagon.
I want to fight people like that, true martial artists, she’s a true martial artist. Those are the kind of people that I want to fight. She’s done a lot in this sport, so why wouldn’t I want to share the cage with someone so amazing? That’s why I keep saying her name, I don’t mean this to be disrespectful at all because I would never do that, I’m very respectful because that’s how I was raised to be.”
Rightfully so, there’s plenty of talk about Tatiana Suarez’s potential to become a future champion and now showcasing that she can be successful at both 115 and 125 pounds, she could be on a path to become world champion sooner than later.
