Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas would appear to have her first assignment of 2025 in the calendar.
Namajunas (13-7) has gone 2-2 since moving up to flyweight following a lackluster end to her second reign at 115 pounds opposite Carla Esparza in 2022.
While a debut defeat to Manon Fiorot stalled her plans for two-division glory, “Thug Rose” rose the ranks in her new weight class by outpointing Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez.
But after Erin Blanchfield stalled the veteran’s plans for a perfect 3-0 year in 2024 and surge into title contention, Namajunas must defend her ranking next time out.
The 32-year-old Wisconsin will return at the UFC Fight Night expected for Atlanta on June 14, where a showdown with the #12-ranked Miranda Maverick (15-5) awaits.
The news, which was first reported by @realkevink on X, was confirmed by Maverick in a post on Instagram.
“@rosenamajunas has been an inspiration for so many women, especially in WMMA, and I am no exception,” Maverick wrote. “I watched her fight as I was coming up in the sport and then I got to train with her on a regular basis. We have been training together for the past few years, but luckily train primarily at different gyms. Now it’s time to duke it out in front of the world and then go back to sharpening each other’s tools. I’m honored to share the cage with a champion person and fighter and I am ready to put the stamp on where I belong! #fearthemaverick #mma #wmma“
“Fear The” Maverick has hit the best run of her UFC career to date, winning four on the bounce since a decision setback to Jasmine Jasudavicius in mid-2023. The 27-year-old most recently got the better of Jamey-Lyn Horth in Tampa last December.
