Amanda Ribas v Rose Namajunas preview & picks | UFC Fight Night

Former champion Rose Namajunas makes her return to the octagon when she faces Amanda Ribas for UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas this weekend. While Namajunas has struggled for motivation in recent times, she remains one of the most talented women to ever fight in the UFC and her presence demands attention. Standing opposite, Ribas will be out for consecutive victories as she inches towards contender status in the women’s flyweight division.

Ribas v Namajunas main event preview

Amanda Ribas vs Rose Namajunas

Amanda Ribas (13-4-0) has produced a mixed record in recent years, going win-loss for her last seven UFC appearances. The 30-year-old has been knocked out twice since 2021 and is susceptible to heavy ground strikes. On the plus side, she has high-level grappling skills, with four victories and zero losses coming her way via submission, and boasts an excellent winning record with the judges.

Ribas will need to be cautious with her forward-attacking movement against an elite counterstriker. She does not possess the same fluid motion as her opponent and will need to cut angles if she hopes to win the range war. Ribas may be slightly stronger in the clinch and would be wise to use the fence to secure body locks that open dirty boxing opportunities.

Rose Namajunas (12-6-0) has fought sparingly in recent years, with an average of just one UFC appearance per year since 2018. She won and lost the women’s strawweight belt twice during that period, battling huge names like Zhang Weili, Carla Esparza, and Hall of Fame inductee Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The 31-year-old moved up a weight division for her most recent contest, losing a competitive fight against the highly regarded Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision.

Namajunas lost her belt in 2022 in a bizarre fight against Esparza where both athletes carefully avoided each other for 25 minutes. The American barely threw an attacking shot and was adjudicated the loser by the three judges present. At her best, Namajunas is a crisp striker who slides in and out of range and plays the MMA game like a chess master.

Ribas v Namajunas betting strategy

The inconsistency of both fighters makes this a difficult contest to analyse. Namajunas has been installed as a short-priced favourite with UFC betting sites, which is understandable given her superior record, but it is impossible to predict her level of commitment to this bout.

Both athletes possess solid ground skills, Ribas has a superior record with the judges, and Namajunas has the edge in finishing power. The most likely outcomes appear Ribas via decision or Namajunas via TKO/KO, and we are leaning towards the latter.

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