Rose Namajunas aims to enter title contention with a win over Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton, having moved past a canceled bout with Maycee Barber and expressing openness to either a rematch with Manon Fiorot or a dream matchup against Valentina Shevchenko.
Rose Namajunas is eyeing a title shot with a win over Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton. She might’ve been closer already if her previous fight had happened as planned.
Back in July, Namajunas was set to face Maycee Barber. That bout could’ve determined the No. 1 contender in their division. But, alas, Barber fell ill just days before the fight and hasn’t returned due to ongoing medical issues.
Namajunas didn’t dwell on it for long. She moved on and dominated Tracy Cortez instead. Now, she’s thrilled to face Blanchfield rather than revisit the Barber matchup.
“I always had my eye on Erin when she started gaining momentum in the UFC,” Namajunas shared during media day. “I was in strawweight and thought she was a great competitor. Facing her excites me.”
The situation with Barber is unfortunate, filled with ambiguity and questions. Namajunas wishes her well but admits it’s frustrating when a fight falls through last minute. She’s adaptable, though, and hesitant to book that fight again soon.
Barber recently updated fans about working with doctors to make her comeback. Meanwhile, Namajunas focuses on Blanchfield, who ranks higher and seeks redemption after losing to Manon Fiorot.
Fiorot, who also defeated Namajunas, might get the next flyweight title shot against Valentina Shevchenko in 2025. Nothing’s official yet, so Namajunas hopes an impressive win over Blanchfield could leapfrog her into contention.
“Anything’s possible,” Namajunas mused. “I want to perform well enough to be considered next, but Manon deserves it regardless. She technically beat me, though I felt I was finding my way towards victory.”
Namajunas wouldn’t mind a title shot but wouldn’t be upset facing Fiorot again or challenging Shevchenko, one of her idols.
“If [Fiorot] wins the belt, a rematch would be great,” she said. “Or even facing Valentina—it’d be a dream matchup.” She’d gladly accept if the UFC offered her a chance with a standout performance.
Namajunas has often expressed admiration for Shevchenko after training together. Facing her might be bittersweet yet thrilling for someone she respects deeply.
“She’s always been my favorite female fighter,” Namajunas confessed about Shevchenko. “It’d be hard not to fan out while fighting her.”
Still, as a martial artist, testing herself against one of the best is the ultimate dream for Namajunas.