Home Articles Rose Namajunas Still Eyeing A Jump to 125 & Facing Valentina Shevchenko

Rose Namajunas Still Eyeing A Jump to 125 & Facing Valentina Shevchenko

Rose Namajunas
Image Courtesy: Frank Franklin II - Associated Press / Tom Szczerbowski - USA TODAY Sports

Former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas is enjoying some time away from the Octagon, but her mind is not away from the fight game, as a potential move to 125 is still in her mind, in addition to an encounter with Valentina Shevchenko.

“Thug” Rose is coming off a loss against Carla Esparza in their rematch at UFC 274 back in May which ended her second title reign. However, the 30-year-old had already planned to enjoy some time away from the cage after facing Esparza.

Namajunas recently teamed up with Polaris for the Polaris RZR Sunday Stroll content series, which also features the likes of former UFC featherweight contender and current BKFC fighter Chad Mendes, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr, as well as NFL legend Chad Ochocinco and the video is set to release next month.

Fighting Valentina Shevchenko “would definitely be very interesting” says Rose Namajunas

While she is not seeking an immediate return to action, Namajunas does contemplate about making the next move in her pro career, and a possible jump up to Flyweight remains in her thoughts.

“I don’t know, you can do the math,” Namajunas told MMA Fighting about makimg a jump to 125, “I really don’t know, like I said, just one step at a time. The UFC has given me some offers for things and I just need the time to just not think about fighting at all, and then in the fall I’ll kind of lay out everything to see what makes sense.”

Currently ranked first in the strawweight division, Namajunas can expect her flyweight debut to happen against the top strata of the division such as Jéssica Andrade, Lauren Murphy, Taila Santos, Katlyn Chookagian and of course, the 125-pound champion and No. 1 P4P fighter, Valentina Shevchenko.

However, it is Shevchenko who would be the biggest draw compared to the rest, and the 4th ranked P4P fighter also feels that “Bullet” is certainly in the conversation but would need a strong reason to lock orns with her friend.

“I love Valentina,” Namajunas went on,In my opinion, and I always forget that Amanda Nunes is the women’s GOAT of MMA, but Valentina, if she keeps doing what she’s doing, you could make that case [for her] as well. I do consider myself to be Valentina’s friend, so in order for me to do that, we would have to be set up, not for life, but it would have to be for a very good reason for me to even want to step to her. She is amazing in all ways, and I have felt what she feels like in practice. I know a fight is a totally different thing, so that would be hard for me to say.

“Obviously, as a martial artist, that would definitely be very interesting. But, yeah, I don’t know yet. It would have to be [very lucrative]. I love Valentina. I consider her to be my friend. I’ve never had a problem with being cordial with people I’m going to fight. I’ve maintained friendships with people that I’ve fought, but I’ve never had an issue with fighting a teammate or anything like that. I have started to think a little bit differently about fighting at this point in my life,” she added.

Do you want to see Rose Namajunas make her flyweight debut against Valentina Shevchenko? Let us know in the comment section below.

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