LAS VEGAS – Amanda Rivas thinks she did everything right to defeat former champion Rose Namajunas in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 53 headliner.
Rivas (12-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will face two-time strawweight champion Namajunas (11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the main event of five rounds in the women's flyweight division, earning the biggest win of her career. Aim for victory. Events at UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+).
The Brazilian made his Octagon debut in June 2019 with dreams of one day reaching the top of a UFC card. Since then, she has experienced ups and downs, but now she has finally realized one of her most important career goals.
“Ever since the first time I signed a UFC poster, I saw my face on it,” Rivas told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's media day. “Yesterday I signed autographs with my face, and from the first day of camp I was like, 'Okay, now is the time.'” You're doing the main event. Well then, let's go. '
“I'm all set up – I'm going to do five rounds, either to the end or to the beginning. I'm really good at fighting a war so that the fans can have fun and say this deserves to be the main event.” I'm training to fight.”
Now might be the best time for Rivas to meet Namajunas. Her American opponent is on a losing streak, including her 125-pound debut against Manon Fioreau in September. Namajunas has never lost three matches in a row, so she will either bounce back or fall to a new low.
But Rivas, 30, doesn't think Namajunas, 31, is in any danger and won't rely on his vulnerability.
“I always have it in mind to fight Rose Namajunas, who is the best of all time,” Rivas said. “I'm training to be her best. If something different than this happens, I'll be ready.”
Rivas will be joining UFC on ESPN 53 in a rare position among fighters on the roster. She is No. 8 in the women's flyweight division and No. 7 in the strawweight division, according to the promotion's official rankings. She moves up and down her ranks every chance she gets, and she plans to continue that approach going forward.
“It was really fun to play three games last year,” Rivas said. “I'm hoping to get three fights inside the Octagon this year. If I win, I hope God bless me. I can get into the top five and maybe even go for the belt.”
For more information on this card, visit MMA Junkie's UFC event hub on ESPN 53.
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