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Ex-champ Rose Namajunas shuts down surging contender at UFC Atlanta

"Thug" returned to the win column at UFC Atlanta.
Drew Beaupre|
(Zuffa LLC)

The co-main event for UFC Atlanta was a pivotal women's flyweight bout between Rose Namajunas and rising contender Miranda Maverick.

A two-time UFC strawweight champion, Namajunas made the move to the flyweight division after losing her title in a rematch with Carla Esparza at UFC 274.

A loss to Erin Blanchfield left Namajunas with a 2-2 flyweight record heading into her matchup with Maverick, who entered UFC Atlanta on an impressive four-fight win streak that earned her a #11 flyweight ranking.

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Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick.
Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick. | (Zuffa LLC)

Namajunas Drops Maverick In Third Round

Set as the penultimate bout for UFC Atlanta, Namajunas vs. Maverick followed Edmen Shahbazyan's unanimous decision victory over Andre Petroski.

The two women set a high pace right from the start of the fight, with Maverick seemingly undaunted by the fact that she was trading blows with a former UFC champion.

Significant shots were landed by both sides in the opening frame, and after exchanging again during the early part of the second round Namajunas decided to switch things up and bring her opponent to the mat.

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Maverick was briefly able to work to her feet before being dragged to the canvas again, but things took a turn late in the round when the 27-year-old created a scramble that almost allowed her to lock up an arm triangle choke.

The momentum shifted again in the third round when Namajunas dropped Maverick and jumped into top position, and "Thug" was able to stifle her opponent's attempts to get back to her feet en route to a unanimous decision victory.

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Drew Beaupre
DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.

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