UFC 324 was a difficult night at the office for former Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Since moving up to 125 pounds, “Thug Rose” has set her eyes on capturing a second world title. While she’s established herself as a Top 10 contender, Namajunas had twice previously come up short in her opportunities against elite opposition in Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield. At UFC 324, Namajunas was given another chance to earn a title shot opposite Natalia Silva, perhaps the division’s best young talent.
To her credit, Namajunas fought well. The first round was uneventful, though Namajunas controlled the center and was a bit more accurate. She clearly took the second round on the strength of her wrestling, and then Silva stormed back to capture the final frame. It was up in the air until the judges’ scorecards were revealed, but Namajunas closed the fight as a significant favorite on the live betting lines.
Unfortunately for “Thug Rose,” Silva walked away with the unanimous decision nod.
It’s a costly loss for Namajunas, who drops to 3-3 at Flyweight and has no clear path to a title shot. Understandably, she was emotional in the aftermath of the debatable decision. In the video below, Namajunas tears up a bit while interacting with fans after the loss, though she clearly appreciates all the support.
On the bright side, Namajunas didn’t take a ton of damage and should be able to return to action sooner than later. Perhaps a bout versus fellow former champion Alexa Grasso would make sense?
