12 July 2020

Rose Namajunas beats Jessica Andrade in brutal revenge win at UFC 251 as Paige VanZant loses final fight

Rose Namajunas finally got her revenge after a brutal battle against Jessica Andrade that saw her seal the strawweight title at UFC 251.

The 28 year-old took the title via a split decision win that has been 14 months in the making at UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.

At UFC 237 in May 2019, Andrade took the title from Namajunas via a second-round knockout slam. 

Both fighters put on an impressive display landing 161 blows between them, but Namajunas battled her way through, despite coming away with a sealed shut left eye and a split open nose. 

The event was played behind-closed-doors due to the coronavirus pandemic at Flash Forum, an area of Yas Island which has been reserved for UFC fighting. 

Namajunas said: “She went into desperation and started really unloading and she caught me a couple times, obviously. But I just stayed strong.”

Elsewhere on Saturday night, Paige VanZant lost her final UFC fight against Amanda Ribas in the women’s flyweight.

VanZant, 26, was in the ring for the first time since January 2019, but it was Ribas who dominated from the opening bell and scored a first-round submission win. 

VanZant is expected to leave the company after nine fights. 

The 26 year-old Brazilian said post-fight: "Thank you to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to fight here and do my work.

"I think this fight proves no matter where you are or who you are, what matters is what you do with your life.

“I have a big heart and I put all my energy in here to do my best.”

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