Rose Namajunas will remain at women’s flyweight in hopes of getting back on the winning track.
Namajunas, a former two-time UFC strawweight champ, will take on Amanda Ribas in a 125-pound main event at UFC Fight Night on March 23, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and stream on ESPN+.
Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA HOJE. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Both Namajunas(11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Ribas (12-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) have signed their bout agreements, the people said.
Namajunas, 31, will attempt to snap a two-fight losing skid. After dropping the 115-pound title to Carla Esparza in one of the most criticized title fights in company history at UFC 274, Namajunas took an extended layoff. She moved up a division for her return but dropped a unanimous decision to Manon Fiorot last September at UFC Fight Night 226.
Looking to hand “Thug Rose” a third consecutive defeat will be Ribas, who continues to bounce around weight classes. The Brazilian is coming of a third-round TKO of Luana Pinheiro at UFC Fight Night 232 in November, and despite claiming she was going to stick around strawweight, she moves back up again for the encounter with Namajunas.
