Is This a Must-Win for ‘Thug Rose’?
Rose Namajunas is one of the most decorated female athletes in all of combat sports. Her resume she has been able to build in a short amount of time, is impressive. She is a two-time Strawweight Champion who has beaten the best the division has to offer. Now in a higher weight class, she has had her ups and downs as she holds a 2-2 record in the Flyweight Division. This Saturday at UFC Atlanta, Namajunas makes her first appearance of 2025 as she takes on Miranda Maverick. Will ‘Thug Rose’ show that she is better than she has been recently, or will ‘Fear The’ Maverick finally have the statement victory we have been long waiting for?
Namajunas has not looked like her usual self since joining the Flyweight Division. Fans have been waiting for her to cement herself as a true contender, but every time she has had the opportunity, she gets shut down. When ‘Thug Rose’ is on, she is a marksman striker with good wrestling and even better grappling. When she has fought up in the rankings in this weight class, she has looked dominant in all aspects. She is fighting again with the 11th-ranked Flyweight in the world, Maverick. She is the cleaner and crisper striker in this matchup, and I feel like she will be able to stuff the takedowns coming back her way. As the fight goes longer, we may even see the former two-time champ shoot her takedowns and push her lead even further. If she can keep her distance, land her jabs, and keep kicks up the middle, she will be able to use her experience to pull off the gritty victory.
Miranda Maverick came into the UFC with all the potential and none of the experience. She was looked at as a surefire champion in due time; however, she has failed to make a name for herself against the top contenders in the Flyweight Division. Coming into this fight, she is on a four-fight win streak and looking to use this momentum to put her name finally at the top of the rankings. The 27-year-old relies heavily on her wrestling and ground control to dictate her fights and the area she is most comfortable. Her striking has gotten better, but if she wants to win this matchup, she needs to make the fight dirty and use her clinch to get into range with Rose, and that will open up takedown opportunities for her. If she can get Rose to the ground, she will be able to use her ground and pound to weaken and wear her down. She can’t be put on her back foot and will need to push the pace and be the one leading the charge.
With Valentina Shevchenko retaining her Flyweight Championship against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, she is looking for new challengers for her next title defense. Neither of these women has faced her yet and has a huge opportunity to put their name in the running for a shot. This fight is going to be more interesting than people would like to admit. Both fighters are well-rounded but heavily favor one style over the other. If this fight remains standing, Rose will be able to pull away; if it goes to the ground, Maverick will find a lot of success. It’s going to be a highly strategic matchup to see how each athlete will try to keep the fight in this favorable environment. Don’t miss out on this fight and all the other action this Saturday, June 14th, for UFC Fight Night Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley.
