Rose Namajunas Tops Paige VanZant At UFC Fight Night 80

Rose Namajunas got her shot to fight in a UFC main event on Thursday night and seized the opportunity by forcing Paige VanZant to tap out in the fifth round.

“Thug Rose” took control of the match early in the first round. Not only did she score a quick take down, but she opened a cut on VanZant’s cheek that would bother her throughout the match.

Namajunas continued the attack, but VanZant hung tough. While each round was largely a repeat of the first, the bout continued into the fifth stanza before finally reaching its climax.

“I thought there would be armbars all day, but I saw pictures, I knew her arms were kind of gummy, so I knew not to get frustrated if I didn’t get the tap out right away,” said Namajunas

But she finally wrapped things up with a rear-naked choke that forced VanZant to submit. The tap out came at 2:25 of the final round.

“I feel great, I don’t know what else to say,” Namajunas said after the match. “I just want to pet my dog right now.”

Image: Rose Namajunas via Twitter

Article by Joe Kozlowski