What to expect from the UFC in 2019

#12 Women’s Strawweight

Will Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas finally return in 2019

We haven’t seen a title fight at Women’s Strawweight since April when champion Rose Namajunas defended her 115lbs belt against former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. It’s high time for ‘Thug Rose’ to return, and so hopefully we’ll see her in action in early 2019, perhaps in April at the latest. Thankfully, we’ve got a pretty clear-cut top contender ready for her.

Jessica Andrade has won 6 of her 7 fights at 115lbs and knocked out former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz in devastating fashion in September; there’s literally no better fight to be made at Strawweight right now than Namajunas vs. Andrade, so hopefully, we finally see it come the New Year.

Elsewhere, there are a handful of Strawweight fights already booked; Livia Renata Souza faces Sarah Frota on ESPN+ on 02/02, and the first ESPN show on 02/17 sees three fights in the division including a big one between Cynthia Calvillo and Cortney Casey. That fight is the only one booked thus far that could impact the top ten – Casey is currently ranked #11, Calvillo #12 – meaning we might have to wait a little longer to see the genuine contenders in action.

The likes of Nina Ansaroff, Tatiana Suarez, and Michelle Waterson will all be in the hunt for potential title shots in 2019, while the possible return to the division of Joanna Jedrzejczyk could throw everything into flux depending on who she fights. Hopefully, the champion can be more active in 2019 as this is clearly one of the UFC’s most fascinating divisions going forward.