Top-ranked UFC women’s contender Rose Namajunas picked up arguably her biggest win when she submitted No. 6-ranked Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from The Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a massive head kick from “Thug” that spelled the beginning of the
Top-ranked UFC women’s contender Rose Namajunas picked up arguably her biggest win when she submitted No. 6-ranked Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from The Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
It was a massive head kick from “Thug” that spelled the beginning of the end for the previously streaking “Karate Hottie,” a thunderous strike that dropped Waterson flat and opened up a clear path for Namajunas to lock on a vice-like rear-naked choke for the pivotal submission win on a big stage.
Watch the fight-sealing strike courtesy of the UFC right here:
And just like that, “Thug” Rose Namajunas is on the cusp of a title shot.
The runner-up of The Ultimate Fighter season 20 scored an emphatic, but much-needed, win over the fast-rising Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of UFC on Fox 24, sinkin…
And just like that, “Thug” Rose Namajunas is on the cusp of a title shot.
The runner-up of The Ultimate Fighter season 20 scored an emphatic, but much-needed, win over the fast-rising Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of UFC on Fox 24, sinking in a jumping rear-naked choke after a dominant performance.
The first round was a clinic by Namajunas. After a slick hip throw by Waterson, Namajunas kept a leg in place for a back take and made the most of it, coiling around her and using the position to land savage ground-and-pound. Waterson made it to the horn but took serious damage on the mat.
Namajunas kept the pressure on in the second, too, keeping Waterson on her back foot before nailing a picturesque head kick. Waterson would never recover from that strike, absorbing more punches and elbows. She made it back to her feet, but Namajunasleapt into a rear-naked choke, dragging her to the canvas and squeezing a tap from the Karate Hottie.
This is a critical win for Namajunas. Both women entered UFC on Fox 24 as interesting talents, both in terms of their in-cage prowess and their popularity among UFC decision-makers.
A favorite of the company since her time on The Ultimate Fighter season 20, Namajunas has been featured prominently on numerous cards despite struggling to perform against top-end competition. Still, few can match her pure talent and at 24 years old, she has the time to grow both technically and physically, making her a long-term investment for the promotion.
That wasn’t necessarily the case with Waterson, however. The former Invicta FC champion achieved overnight stardom when she made quick work of promotional darling Paige VanZant at UFC on Fox 22, choking her out cold in the first round of their December bout.
While the UFC traditionally tries to punish competitors who defeat its preferred talents, WME-IMG opted to give a push to its hot hand and began rolling her out as a star ahead of this bout, hoping for the kind of consistency they haven’t found with the likes of VanZant.
While Namajunas was coming off a fresh split-decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz, this win immediately puts her back at the front of the line for a title shot, something she is well aware of. “I’m just having fun with life and appreciating my life because it could always be worse,” she said. “I think this win puts me right up there in title contention. Whoever wins the belt, I’m fighting.”
If the strawweight champ, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, can get past Jessica Andrade at UFC 211 in May, expect Rose to get another crack at gold this summer.
Michelle Waterson (14-5) suffered a devastating submission loss at the hands of Rose Namajunas (6-3). The co-main event of UFC on FOX 24 delivered a likely number one contender bout between Waterson and Namajunas. The “Karate Hottie” came into the bout with two straight wins, while “Thug” had won 3 of her last four bouts.
Michelle Waterson (14-5) suffered a devastating submission loss at the hands of Rose Namajunas (6-3).
The co-main event of UFC on FOX 24 delivered a likely number one contender bout between Waterson and Namajunas. The “Karate Hottie” came into the bout with two straight wins, while “Thug” had won 3 of her last four bouts.
Waterson looked for a leg kick at the start of the fight. He landed a spinning back kick to the face and took Namajunas down. Namajunas reverse the position and took the back of Waterson with both hooks in. She transitioned to top control. The “Karate Hottie” went for a triangle. Namajunas rained down some elbows.
Namajunas landed a knee to the body as Waterson got back up. The two separated and returned standing. Namajunas landed a punch and took her opponent down. Time expired about 15 seconds later.
The second stanza was underway and Waterson landed a body kick followed by a push kick. Namajunas connected with a head kick that dropped Waterson. She followed up with some hammerfists and ground-and-pound. A mouse formed above the right eyebrow of Waterson. Namajunas took the back and locked in a rear-naked choke to force the tap.
Final Result: Rose Namajunas def. Michelle Waterson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – R2, 2:47
A UFC women’s strawweight title shot may be on the line when No. 4-ranked Rose Namajunas meets No. 6 Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tomorrow’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Although ‘Thug’ maintains the higher ranking for the time being, it could
A UFC women’s strawweight title shot may be on the line when No. 4-ranked Rose Namajunas meets No. 6 Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tomorrow’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Although ‘Thug’ maintains the higher ranking for the time being, it could be argued that it’s ‘Th Karate Hottie’ who has far more momentum after her first-round submission win over the formerly touted Paige VanZant in December, her second straight submission win in the octagon, while Namajunas will look to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 201.
The high-stakes women’s bout could definitely bring forth the next contender to longtime strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk or Jessica Andrade, who will meet for the gold in the co-main event of May’s UFC 211 from Dallas. Check out Namajunas and Waterson’s faceoff from today’s ceremonial weigh-ins courtesy of MMA Fighting here:
The UFC heads to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time with one of their strongest Fox cards to date.
Headlining the action will be Demetrious Johnson. The UFC flyweight champion is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today and p…
The UFC heads to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time with one of their strongest Fox cards to date.
Headlining the action will be Demetrious Johnson. The UFC flyweight champion is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today and possibly ever. He is top notch in every facet of the game. “Mighty Mouse” is closing in on Anderson Silva’s title defense record (10). A win will see Johnson tie the mark.
Perhaps the most compelling matchup on the card is the co-main event.
Strawweight contenders Michelle Waterson and Rose Namajunas meet for the first time inside the cage. They are two of the most marketable and promising strawweights on the roster, and a big win on Saturday could see them as the next challenger for the title.
Who does the B/R staff favor in the UFC on Fox 24 main card matchups?
Craig Amos, Steven Rondina, Scott Harris and, myself, Nathan McCarter are here once again to give you our thoughts. Pull up and chair and gander at who we picked to get their hand raised in each of the four main card tilts this Saturday.
The fighters of UFC on FOX 24 took over the Power and Light District in Kansas City Thursday, holding open workouts. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, challenger Wilson Reis, Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson were among those who showed off their skills for fans in attendance. In this recap from the session, hear from those […]
The fighters of UFC on FOX 24 took over the Power and Light District in Kansas City Thursday, holding open workouts. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, challenger Wilson Reis, Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson were among those who showed off their skills for fans in attendance. In this recap from the session, hear from those […]
And just like that, “Thug” Rose