Page 4 - UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal

#4 UFC Strawweight Division: Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade

Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade first faced off for the UFC Strawweight title in 2019

This fight is probably the one that sums up how loaded this card is. Not only was it pegged as the original co-main event of UFC 249, but it was also a UFC title fight just over a year ago. Back then, Namajunas was the defending UFC Strawweight champ, while Andrade was the bulldozer of a challenger.

That fight of course ended in dramatic fashion. After piecing Andrade up with her striking in the first round, Namajunas made a fatal error in the second by attempting to lace up a kimura from the clinch. Andrade responded by slamming her directly onto her head, knocking her out to take away the crown.

Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

‘Thug Rose’ hasn’t fought since, while Andrade would lose her title in her first defense, going down at the hands of Weili Zhang in under a minute. The winner here will move right back into title contention, but who will it be?

Personally, my money is on Namajunas. I don’t like to call any win a fluke per se, but there was definitely something fortunate about Andrade’s win in the initial fight. After all, ‘Thug Rose’ was destroying her in the first round.

A stinging jab and some excellent footwork were enough to put a stop to Andrade’s berserker style. By the end of the round, not only was ‘Bate Estaca’ bleeding badly, but she was also close to being stopped after going down off a knee strike.

The issue for Rose – as I mentioned in my previous breakdown – is largely a mental one. She hasn’t fought since her loss to Andrade and has had question marks hanging over her future for a while. At her best, she’s remarkably skilled in all areas – capable of submitting opponents but also outpointing a striker as skilled as Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

But any fighter who’s mentioned retiring from the UFC has to be questioned to some extent. Is Rose’s heart truly in the game? Only she knows the truth. If she’s definitely in this for the long haul, then I see no reason why she can’t piece Andrade up for a late TKO. But if she’s unsure of herself, then ‘Bate Estaca’ could definitely take her out in a rush.

The Pick: Namajunas via second-round TKO

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

Know More

Follow One Championship News, Schedule & Results at Sportskeeda.