White: Namajunas needs another 'fight or 2' before title shot

[Wild]

Although Namajunas has looked stellar of late while beating Torres, Paige VanZant and Angela Hill in consecutive contests, the discussion of her fighting for the title sooner than later could be a bit premature, according to UFC President Dana White.

Namajunas has already had a crack at UFC gold in her young career. The 23-year-old earned the chance to fight Carla Esparza for the inaugural 115-pound belt at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale in December 2014, but lost via third-round submission.

White said neither he nor Namajunas are particularly eager to jump back into a title fight, especially with an experienced wrecking ball like Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) holding the championship.

“I don’t know if Rose is too excited to rush in there for a title shot again,” White told ESPN following UFC on FOX 19. “She’s catching her stride. She looked good tonight. She seemed like she was loading up a lot and trying to knock her out with one punch instead of flowing like she did against Paige. But she’ll probably have a fight or two before a title shot.”

LINK: Dana White says Rose Namajunas needs another 'fight or 2' before next title shot

 

[PeteyParker]

it's good for Rose she doesn't want to get smacked around like she did vs Carla. Joanna vs Rose is not a fight where Rose is likely to be favored, but to she definitely has a chance to win cause how athletic and multidimensional her game is. However getting more fight/experience is something that will benefit Rose long term when she fights Joanna or Ghadella. It seems like she is thinking now instead of going wreckless mode and her fighting skills are getting sharper.

 

[Severianb]

it's good for Rose she doesn't want to get smacked around like she did vs Carla. Joanna vs Rose is not a fight where Rose is likely to be favored, but to she definitely has a chance to win cause how athletic and multidimensional her game is. However getting more fight/experience is something that will benefit Rose long term when she fights Joanna or Ghadella. It seems like she is thinking now instead of going wreckless mode and her fighting skills are getting sharper.

Rose has a bright future in this sport, but forcing her into a another title shot when she isn't ready could really set her back.

We need to start looking more at these fighters records pre-UFC in this young division. I'm totally fine with a fighter only having 1 or 2 good wins in the UFC and getting a title shot if they wrecked shop outside the UFC.

The 8, 9 and 10th ranked fighters in this division all meet that criteria and have not fought yet.

#8 Maryna Moroz has a signature win over Joanne Calderwood and a 7-1 record.

#9 Michelle Waterson has a signature win over Jessica Penne and a 13-4 record.

#10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz has her biggest win over Randa Markos and a 7-0 record.

All of those fighters are available to fight within the next couple of months. 1 more win by ANY of them and they are the most qualified to get a title shot of anyone else left in the 115lb division.

I'd personally love to see Michelle get another win then fight the winner of Gadelha-Jedrzejczyk.

 

[1372]

I'd personally love to see Michelle get another win then fight the winner of Gadelha-Jedrzejczyk.

Your a scary man.

 

[member 3289]

Can't disagree with the fuckin goof on this one

 

[Severianb]

Your a scary man.

Why?

 

[Jesus X]

michelle lost vs 4'11" herica tiburcio,claudia gadelha would win easily, joanna champion vs waterson would be closer due to both being MT fighters before being in mma.

 

[Severianb]

michelle lost vs 4'11" herica tiburcio,claudia gadelha would win easily, joanna champion vs waterson would be closer due to both being MT fighters before being in mma.

The loss to Tiburcio was an outlier that required a huge amount of things to go wrong for Waterson for it to occur.

Judging Michelle's success against future opponents based on that fight is like using GSP's loss to Matt Serra to judge GSP future success. That is not a good idea.

I honestly believe all of this.

Anyway, Michelle is in this to be champion. Nobody thought she could be one before and she proved everyone wrong. She will do it again!

 

[dacofty]

it's good for Rose she doesn't want to get smacked around like she did vs Carla. Joanna vs Rose is not a fight where Rose is likely to be favored, but to she definitely has a chance to win cause how athletic and multidimensional her game is. However getting more fight/experience is something that will benefit Rose long term when she fights Joanna or Ghadella. It seems like she is thinking now instead of going wreckless mode and her fighting skills are getting sharper.

Claudia and JJ beat her easy. Carla will take the win as well.

 

[Wintermute]

 

[Fattiecorpuscle]

I agree with Dana on this one, it doesn't seem that Rose is mentally prepared yet for another title shot and she knows it.

I'm just glad to see that the UFC is taking the time to further develop someone who could be one of their biggest stars in the near future.

To me, Rose is the Rory MacDonald of Women's MMA.

 

[Wild]

So who do you all think she should fight next? Here's the rankings.

1 Claudia Gadelha
2 Carla Esparza
3 Rose Namajunas
4 Tecia Torres
5 Valerie Letourneau
6 Jessica Penne
7 Paige VanZant
8 Maryna Moroz
9 Michelle Waterson
10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz

 

[dacofty]

So who do you all think she should fight next? Here's the rankings.

1 Claudia Gadelha
2 Carla Esparza
3 Rose Namajunas
4 Tecia Torres
5 Valerie Letourneau
6 Jessica Penne
7 Paige VanZant
8 Maryna Moroz
9 Michelle Waterson
10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz

id say Carla thats the only one she can possibly beat the Champ and #1 would hurt her bad

 

[Jesus X]

So who do you all think she should fight next? Here's the rankings.

1 Claudia Gadelha
2 Carla Esparza
3 Rose Namajunas
4 Tecia Torres
5 Valerie Letourneau
6 Jessica Penne
7 Paige VanZant
8 Maryna Moroz
9 Michelle Waterson
10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz

seems like the only option is esparza gadelha is fighting joanna champion

 

[Wild]

Agree @dacofty @Jesus X but I hate that fight. Carla just does nothing for me.

 

[dacofty]

Agree @dacofty @Jesus X but I hate that fight. Carla just does nothing for me.

true but as the Ali act is seeking, a fair and balanced way the rankings and fights are arranged. That would be the fight to make in the real world but this is UFC.

 

[Fattiecorpuscle]

I'd want her to avenger her loss to Esparza. If she can't get past Carla at this point, no way in hell she's ready for Joanna. Not to being MMAth in to this, but Joanna tooled Carla after Carla pretty much tooled Rose (Although Rose gassed, likely adrenaline dump)

 

[Jesus X]

Womens tuf is starting on 20th should be entertaining haven't watched tuf since 2007 or 2008.

 

[Wild]

Womens tuf is starting on 20th should be entertaining haven't watched tuf since 2007 or 2008.

It's going to take everything I have not to fap every episode.

 

[The EZ Life]

rose is my fav<3