Rose Namajunas took the first step in her quest to the top of the flyweight division by defeating Amanda Rivas (13-5) by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
Two-time strawweight UFC champion Namajunas (12-6) ended his losing streak at two. Two of the judges gave Namajunas four of five rounds, while the other gave her three rounds in her favor.
“Hey, it's good to raise your hand,” Namajunas said. Namajunas is ranked No. 9 in ESPN's flyweight rankings despite losing to Manon Fioreau in his 125-pound debut in September.
Rivas (13-5), ranked No. 9 in the strawweight division, was able to get four takedowns, but all but one ended in last place. Although Namajunas could not do much damage from the top, he had nearly 7 minutes of control time. Rivas tried several submissions, but her efforts to get back to her feet were little and it cost her.
When the fight went to the standings, Rivas was busy with attack attempts, but Namajunas was much more accurate, landing just under 50% of the time. Neither woman faltered the other with her blows. Namajunas controlled her range throughout the fight, but the power she displayed at strawweight was absent against Rivas.
“We know we still have work to do,” Namajunas said. “She did a really good job, but I was able to stay calm there.”
Later, when asked who he would like to see next, Namajunas named Fiorotto and Erin Blanchfield, and Macy Barber, the two flyweights who will compete in next weekend's UFC main event. All are ranked higher than her in the ESPN rankings.
