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LAS VEGAS – Nowadays, it feels as though nothing is assured in the UFC, but that might not necessarily be the case for Rose Namajunas as she enters UFC 324.
Namajunas, who takes on Natalia Silva on Saturday's main card (Paramount+) at T-Mobile Arena, confirmed at Wednesday's UFC 324 media day that she's been told the next women's flyweight title shot will be hers should she get her hand raised this weekend. Although the chance to become champion in a second division excites "Thug" Rose, she's keeping herself grounded with her sights set on Silva, who took the fight on short notice replacing Alexa Grasso.
"It's just super exciting and all that more motivating," Namajunas told MMA Junkie and other reporters. "Even with getting the fight with Alexa, it was super exciting because I'm definitely a big fan of hers, too, but I wasn't sure where that puts me – even with a super dominant performance. So even though I wasn't going to worry about that, and I'm still not too worried (about the title shot) and looking past this, you know, one step at a time, but it's definitely more motivating. I don't need any more motivation. I just want to win. I'm also very excited to face someone like Natalia, who's very exciting and has very good talent. It's very exciting."
Namajunas (14-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) is currently 3-2 since moving up to the flyweight division, with her only defeats coming in decisions against top contenders Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield. She last fought in June when she defeated Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision.
On the other hand, Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has set herself apart from the competition by keeping a perfect record in the UFC, adding on to her active 13-fight winning streak. The Brazilian last competed in when she outpointed Grasso.
Like many, Namajunas has been impressed by Silva, but she also sees things in her game she can exploit.
"I think there are certain things she gets away with just because she's so fast and so explosive, but her skill is definitely great," Namajunas said. "I'm looking to expose that. I mean, she obviously never seems to get tired. Maybe little tendencies here and there you might see over time, but she just looks so fluid all the time and so in the zone. I'm really looking to try to take her out of that and get her to fight out of character."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 324: Rose Namajunas assured title shot next with win
Continue reading...
Namajunas, who takes on Natalia Silva on Saturday's main card (Paramount+) at T-Mobile Arena, confirmed at Wednesday's UFC 324 media day that she's been told the next women's flyweight title shot will be hers should she get her hand raised this weekend. Although the chance to become champion in a second division excites "Thug" Rose, she's keeping herself grounded with her sights set on Silva, who took the fight on short notice replacing Alexa Grasso.
"It's just super exciting and all that more motivating," Namajunas told MMA Junkie and other reporters. "Even with getting the fight with Alexa, it was super exciting because I'm definitely a big fan of hers, too, but I wasn't sure where that puts me – even with a super dominant performance. So even though I wasn't going to worry about that, and I'm still not too worried (about the title shot) and looking past this, you know, one step at a time, but it's definitely more motivating. I don't need any more motivation. I just want to win. I'm also very excited to face someone like Natalia, who's very exciting and has very good talent. It's very exciting."
Namajunas (14-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) is currently 3-2 since moving up to the flyweight division, with her only defeats coming in decisions against top contenders Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield. She last fought in June when she defeated Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision.
On the other hand, Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has set herself apart from the competition by keeping a perfect record in the UFC, adding on to her active 13-fight winning streak. The Brazilian last competed in when she outpointed Grasso.
Like many, Namajunas has been impressed by Silva, but she also sees things in her game she can exploit.
"I think there are certain things she gets away with just because she's so fast and so explosive, but her skill is definitely great," Namajunas said. "I'm looking to expose that. I mean, she obviously never seems to get tired. Maybe little tendencies here and there you might see over time, but she just looks so fluid all the time and so in the zone. I'm really looking to try to take her out of that and get her to fight out of character."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 324: Rose Namajunas assured title shot next with win
Continue reading...
