5 fighters who could end 2018 with a UFC title and 5 who won't

Won’t end 2018 with a title: Rose Namajunas

Rose Namajunas seems too vulnerable to hold onto her title through 2018

So I kind of gave away this one with the last slide by stating that I expect Joanna Jedrzejczyk to take back her title if and when she rematches the current champion Rose Namajunas, but even if lightning can strike twice and ‘Thug Rose’ can defeat the Polish kickboxer for a second time, I’m not sure if I can see her holding the title as 2018 closes out.

Why? I know she defeated the best fighter the weight division has ever seen, but I’m still not sure that I buy her as the absolute best in the division. It was only in 2014 that Carla Esparza thoroughly dominated her on the ground before submitting her, and 2016 saw Karolina Kowalkiewicz outwork her in the clinch to win a decision. Her win over Tecia Torres in 2016 was also a questionable decision that could’ve gone either way.

Basically, despite an array of flashy finishing skills and a tremendous heart, I just feel that Rose is too vulnerable to hold onto her title past 2018, especially not when she might end up facing a dangerous contender like Torres, Jessica Andrade, or Claudia Gadelha. Even if the new champion doesn’t end up being Jedrzejczyk, I don’t see Namajunas with the title come the end of the year.