R. Namajunas relaxes before fighting for the UFC Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @suckerpunchent
Even though she is the current strawweight champion (up to 52,2kg) for the second time in her career and ready to defend her belt again, the place of Rose namajunas in the history of the division still generates debate in the world of mixed martial arts. In a statement to 'ESPN', the former UFC athlete Daniel Cormier said that the biggest in the history of the category, today, is the Polish Joanna Jedrzejczyk but claimed that 'Thug Rose' could reach that position one day.
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“The greatest champion in the history of this division is Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Not just because of all the title defenses. The way she really put this weight class on the map is why we see it the way we do,” Cormier said.
The former Ultimate champion praised Rose's career so far, but highlighted that she still has a way to go, to one day become the greatest in the history of the division.
“So I think personally for Rose and her whole team, this victory (over Carla Esparrza) will be important for them and not for what it means for the legacy of Rose namajunas, because it is still under construction. And if she is going to be considered the greatest fighter in the history of this division, she still has a little more work to do”, concluded 'DC'.
Joanna and Rose have already faced each other twice, in 2017 and 2018, and both times Namajunas emerged victorious. In the first fight, the American knocked out the then champion in the first round and shocked the world to win the belt for the first time. 'Thug's' first defense was against the Polish player and she emerged victorious again, this time by points.
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