Carla Esparza vs Rose Namajunas at UFC 274
Rose Namajunas Acknowledges ‘Boring’ Carla Esparza Fight; Promises Excitement in Flyweight Debut at UFC Paris
Acknowledging the criticism surrounding her previous lackluster bout against Carla Esparza, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is eagerly preparing to make her flyweight debut at UFC Paris.
With her reputation momentarily tarnished by the uneventful contest that cost her the strawweight belt, Namajunas is resolute in her commitment to delivering an exhilarating performance. As she readies to face off against emerging French contender Manon Fiorot, Namajunas embraces the opportunity to reshape her narrative as a dynamic and captivating fighter. Namajunas stated:
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, honestly. When I made a bunch of goals for my career early on when I was younger, being a two division champ was kind of on the end of the list, but it was there. So here we are and I think I’m known for surprising people, so it’s just kind of my style. Earlier on in my career I was maybe a smaller strawweight, you would say. And then over time as I’ve matured and my body changed each fight the cut would get bigger and bigger. And the fight with Carla [Esparza], I think that weight cut I had the sunken in eyes and other things fighters deal with. I didn’t like that.”
In a recent media appearance, Namajunas candidly discussed her decision to transition to the flyweight division. Citing her desire to evade the harsh toll of extreme weight cuts and showcase her skills at a healthier weight, she aims to captivate audiences with her renewed energy and fighting spirit. Addressing the critique aimed at her previous fight, Namajunas accepted responsibility and expressed her determination to provide fans with a more thrilling showcase of her abilities. With UFC Paris on the horizon, Namajunas’ commitment to rekindling her reputation as an electrifying force in the octagon underscores her determination to seize her flyweight debut and leave an indelible mark on the division.
Following her own triumphant victory at UFC Singapore, Erin Blanchfield has made a bold prediction about the outcome of the upcoming UFC Paris clash between Manon Fiorot and Rose Namajunas. Blanchfield, fresh from defeating Taila Santos, believes that Fiorot will emerge victorious in the anticipated showdown against former strawweight champion Namajunas, who is making her flyweight debut.
While Blanchfield has her sights set on a flyweight title shot herself, she candidly expressed her expectation that Fiorot’s size advantage and natural transition to the division will prove advantageous:
“I think Manon wins, but I don’t really care who I fight out of those two. I just think that Manon is a little bit bigger of a girl. Rose is coming up [to Flyweight], and she’s someone that I don’t think really had a hard time making 115, so I think the jump to 125 will be pretty rough. You know, she’s a great fighter, but Manon is gonna be taller and lankier. I just don’t see Rose winning that fight.”
Notably, Namajunas has been an underdog in the betting odds, and Blanchfield’s analysis adds an intriguing layer of anticipation to the upcoming fight. With both fighters aiming to solidify their positions in the flyweight rankings, all eyes are on the Octagon for this high-stakes clash.
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