UFC Denver’s Rose Namajunas ‘could see myself fighting for the belt really soon’

Rose Namajunas hopes for at least one more Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title run.

UFC heads back to Denver, Colorado, and features an important Flyweight match up atop the billing as Namajunas looks to maintain her spot in the rankings against the rising contender, Tracy Cortez, this weekend (Sat., July 13, 2024). Although the opponent isn’t who Namajunas was originally set to battle, she expects big possibilities to follow.

“I’d say I’m right in that title contention talks [with a win],” Namajunas told MMA Junkie. “God willing, I’m healthy, I’m in shape and I’m ready to go with a win and whatever opportunities they want to give me. I could see myself fighting for the belt really soon. It’s just a matter of doing my job and fighting to the best of my abilities. Anything’s possible.”

Namajunas, 32, made history as the youngest female champion in UFC history when she won the Strawweight title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217 in November 2017. She had a second stint with the title in 2021 when she defeated the current champion of the division, Zhang Weili, twice.

In an ideal world for “Thug,” she would successfully accomplish one of her lifelong aspirations before retiring. The journey begins with her highly anticipated first fight in her hometown, marking the 18th match of her career, with a record of 12 wins and 6 losses.

“When I initially embarked on my journey in the UFC, I held a vision in my mind. While it was not fully formed, my desire to become a champion was undeniable,” Namajunas expressed. “Moreover, deep within me, I entertained the thought of conquering two divisions and claiming championships in both.”

She concluded, “However, it seemed too distant for me to be certain if I could achieve it. But now I have realized that I am capable of making it happen.”

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FLYWEIGHT FIREWORKS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Sat., July 13, 2024, for the first time since the historic 25th anniversary event in 2018 with a meaningful (albeit short-notice) showdown between top-ranked women’s Flyweight contenders Rose Namajunas (No. 6) vs. Tracy Cortez (No. 11). In UFC Denver’s co-main event, a thrilling Lightweight bout sees Denver’s own, Drew Dober, lock horns with Jean Silva, who is coming off a blistering knockout over Charles Jourdain just a few weeks ago (watch it).

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