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Women’s Flyweight Division Spotlight
The women’s flyweight division has garnered significant attention recently and regained the spotlight during the main event of the weekend’s UFC APEX fight card, where Rose Namajunas faced off against Amanda Ribas.
Namajunas Impresses
In her second appearance in the 125-pound ranks, Rose Namajunas demonstrated that she is a serious contender in the flyweight division, securing a unanimous decision victory with a composed and efficient performance against Ribas.
Utilizing her precise footwork, sharp boxing skills, and control on the canvas, Namajunas displayed superior efficiency compared to Ribas and effectively neutralized Ribas’ offense when the fight hit the ground.
Rankings and Future Contenders
Following her first flyweight victory, Namajunas is expected to enter the rankings and join the mix of contenders in the division. The upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter will feature champion Alexa Grasso and former titleholder Valentina Shevchenko as coaches, building anticipation for their anticipated third fight later this year.
Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot are slated to headline an event in Atlantic City, with the winner likely securing a title shot. Additionally, rising talents like Natalia Silva, Ariane Lipski, Karine Silva, Tracy Cortez, Miranda Maverick, and Jasmine Jasudavicius are also making waves in the division.
Future Matchups
With Namajunas potentially debuting high in the rankings, a matchup against Maycee Barber, currently ranked No. 4, could be on the horizon. The division continues to produce exciting matchups, fueling anticipation for the Grasso-Shevchenko trilogy later this year.
Event Highlights
In the co-main event, Karl Williams secured a dominant victory over Justin Tafa, showcasing his ground control and securing a grinding win. Middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan and bantamweight Payton Talbott delivered impressive performances during the main card, with Shahbazyan finishing his opponent in the first round.
- Payton Talbott put on a statement performance against Cameron Saaiman, establishing himself as a rising star in the bantamweight division.
- Youssef Zalal and Fernando Padilla secured quality stoppage wins in their respective matchups, further adding to the excitement of the event.
Preliminary Bouts and Unexpected Turn of Events
The preliminary bouts featured veterans earning unanimous decision wins, while a surprising encounter between Andre Lima and Igor Severino ended in disqualification after Severino bit his opponent, resulting in his removal from the promotion.
Despite this unexpected incident, the rest of the athletes delivered entertaining performances throughout the event.
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