Two-time strawweight world champion Rose Namajunas returned to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 89 looking for her first win in the flyweight division.
After coming up short in her first go at 125, ‘Thug’ Rose stepped back into the main event spotlight for a clash with the division’s No. 8 ranked contender, Amanda Ribas.
Round 1
Ribas comes out southpaw and gets things started with a low kick. Namajunas fires over the top with a left hand. Both fighters start trading low kicks before Namajunas moves in with a right hand followed by a combination that partially connects. Ribas responds with a clubbing overhand right. Ribas shoots in near the two-minute mark, scoring a brief takedown. Namajunas pops right back up and Ribas pushes her to the cage wall. Namajunas reverses position, but Ribas separates.
Namajunas lands a nice body shot. Ribas responds with a right, but Namajunas answers with a counter left. Ribas moves in close and gets Namajunas to the ground once again with a scarf hold, but Namajunas easily rolls through and gets into Ribas’ half-guard where they stay for the remainder of the round.
Round 2
Ribas comes out and immediately throws a high kick. Namajunas switches to southpaw and goes on the attack with a straight right hand. Ribas responds with a stiff calf kick. Namajunas rips to the body followed by a solid left hand that tags Ribas clean. Ribas fires back with a spinning backkick to the body. Ribas again goes to the body with a kick. Ribas moves in with a combination and tries the backkick again, but misses the mark.
Namajunas shoots in for a sneaky takedown attempt and briefly gets Ribas to the canvas before the Brazilian pops back up and separates. Namajunas moves in close again and Ribas nearly snatches Namajunas’ leg, teasing a knee bar. Namajunas defends and gets top control. Ribas works Namajunas into her guard and works to keep Namajunas in close until the horn sounds.
Round 3
Ribas fires a body kick and eats a right hand over the top from Namajunas in return. Ribas again goes high with a head kick and is nearly taken off her feet from Namajunas’ counter. A nice body kick from Namajunas lands. Ribas goes low with the kick and Namajunas again counters over the top with a right hand that partially lands. Ribas moves in close and they clinch up near the center of the Octagon before separating. Ribas throws a spinning back fist that misses the mark. Namajunas continues to counter the low kick with a straight right, but Ribas lands her own right hand.
Ribas rushes in and scores a body lock takedown, but Namajunas quickly scrambles, getting back to her feet and clinching along the cage. Ribas snatches a headlock and uses it as an opportunity to take Namajunas to the canvas. While in a scarf hold position, Ribas transitions into side control, but Namajunas quickly gets her into half-guard. Ribas reigns down some elbows that force Namajunas to give up her back. Ribas holds the position, but there’s not enough time to take advantage before the round comes to an end.
Round 4
Both women come out looking to get inside, but it’s Ribas who lands first with a nice right hand. Namajunas moves in and Ribas lands another stiff right hand as Namajunas struggles to find her target. Namajunas offers a quick left hand that gets blocked by Ribas. Desperate for something, Namajunas rushes in and looks for the takedown. Ribas rolls, looking for a leg, but that allows Namajunas to get top position on the mat.
Namajunas goes to work, landing some short body shots as Ribas works to improve her position. With 45 seconds to go in the round, Namajunas has clocked nearly six minutes of control time but has failed to do much in the way of damage. Ribas keeps the guard closed and is content to avoid taking any unnecessary risks until the round comes to a close.
Round 5
With a sense of urgency, Ribas comes out firing a couple of solid low kicks followed by a kick to the body. Namajunas comes back with a nice right hand that lands. Ribas goes back to the body with the kicks, but Namajunas lands a counter right hand. Ribas offers a head kick, but Namajunas dances out of the way. A spinning kick from Ribas is out of range. Namajunas offers a spinning backkick of her own.
Ribas continues the spinning kick attacks, one partially connecting with Namajunas’ head. Namajunas moves in and attempts to clinch up in the center of the cage, but separates once she realizes that the takedown opportunity isn’t there. With a minute to go, Namajunas continues to mitigate risk by dancing around the outside of the Octagon. Namajunas pumps the jab to keep Ribas at bay as the round reaches its final 20 seconds. Ribas throws a couple more spin kicks that miss as the last horn of the night sounds.
Official Result: Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Check Out Highlights From Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89:
Amanda Ribas walking to the cage for her first main event pic.twitter.com/KzYHKuTvgX
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) March 24, 2024
UFC Fight Night Ribas vs. Namajunas : #UFCVegas89
Amanda Ribas vs Rose Namajunas
Rd 3 minute fnl pic.twitter.com/t6Inf6Xqk5
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) March 24, 2024
Five rounds in the books!
👀 How'd you score the fight!? #UFCVegas89 pic.twitter.com/jombfWJF5A
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 24, 2024
🚨 Rose Namajunas defeats Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46 x 2, 48-47) in the #UFCVegas89 Main Event🚨 pic.twitter.com/gprtb8ORxJ
— NoSmokeMMA (@NoSmokeMMA) March 24, 2024
