Rose Namajunas on Amanda Ribas: ‘I Know I’m Better Everywhere’

Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight queen Rose Namajunas is hoping to make a statement in her second outing in the flyweight division.

Following a split-decision loss to Carla Esparza at UFC 274, Namajunas (11-6) moved up to the 125-pound division in 2023 and faced No. 3-ranked Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night 226 .

Despite suffering a broken right hand in the first round of the bout, Namajunas put on a competitive fight, even securing two of the judges' scorecards in the third frame. However, the French national walked away with the unanimous decision victory thanks to her performance in the first two stanzas.

“Thug Rose” is now slated to take on the No. 8-ranked Amanda Ribas (12-4) in a UFC Fight Night main event duel on March 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Having time to get more accustomed to the new weight class, the former champ feels more confident and prepared for her upcoming flyweight contest.

“I actually felt really good [in my flyweight debut]. Now, I'm even a little more solid. I had a little more fat on me, but it wasn't a ton or anything. I was definitely a lot leaner at 115, but now I feel like I'm a little bit bigger and more solid too and I'm just more accustomed to moving around at this weight as well,” Namajunas said on “The MMA Hour.”

Assessing her upcoming opponent, Namajunas doesn't see Ribas having the tools to deal with her on fight night. “Thug Rose” believes sticking to her game plan and maintaining focus throughout is what will allow her to secure a finish against the Brazilian.

“She's always got some good energy. She comes to fight. She's going to give it her all every second of the fight. That's probably the biggest danger that she poses. She's got some good techniques but overall, I just feel like I'm better everywhere. I know I'm better everywhere. I just have to maintain focus and discipline and just stick to the game plan and get her out of there when I can.”

Ribas is coming off a spectacular Round 3 spinning wheel kick technical knockout victory against strawweight Luana Pinheiro at UFC Fight Night 232. Before that, Ribas suffered a Round 2 TKO loss at the hands of Maycee Barber in a flyweight clash at UFC on ABC 5 in June 2023.

The unnumbered UFC Fight Night event will also feature a featherweight meeting between Julian Erosa and Ricardo Ramos, as well as a bantamweight clash pitting Davey Grant against Cody Gibson.