White says Namajunas will ‘have a fight or two before a title shot’

Despite Rose Namajunas’ big win over Tecia Torres at UFC on Fox 19, it appears that she won’t be getting the next strawweight title shot.

Rose Namajunas picked up arguably the biggest win of her career Saturday night in Tampa, defeating contender Tecia Torres by unanimous decision. Combine that with her dominating win over Paige VanZant in December and you have a fighter that looks to be on the verge of a title shot in the strawweight division. But that might not be in the cards after all.

UFC president Dana White talked about Thug Rose’s possible title shot after the bout, and threw some cold water on the idea (via ESPN):

“I don’t know if Rose is too excited to rush in there for a title shot again. 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.”

Namajunas did say at the post-fight press conference that she’d like to take some time off after fighting three times in seven months. And Rose has actually fought for the title before – at the TUF 20 Finale, where she was defeated by Carla Esparza. So it’s not that crazy that she might not be next in line.

With current champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk set to defend her title against Claudia Gadelha in July, there’s plenty of time to sort out of the division.

Despite Rose Namajunas’ big win over Tecia Torres at UFC on Fox 19, it appears that she won’t be getting the next strawweight title shot.

Rose Namajunas picked up arguably the biggest win of her career Saturday night in Tampa, defeating contender Tecia Torres by unanimous decision. Combine that with her dominating win over Paige VanZant in December and you have a fighter that looks to be on the verge of a title shot in the strawweight division. But that might not be in the cards after all.

UFC president Dana White talked about Thug Rose’s possible title shot after the bout, and threw some cold water on the idea (via ESPN):

“I don’t know if Rose is too excited to rush in there for a title shot again. 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.”

Namajunas did say at the post-fight press conference that she’d like to take some time off after fighting three times in seven months. And Rose has actually fought for the title before – at the TUF 20 Finale, where she was defeated by Carla Esparza. So it’s not that crazy that she might not be next in line.

With current champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk set to defend her title against Claudia Gadelha in July, there’s plenty of time to sort out of the division.