Pros react after Rose Namajunas defeats Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89

A women’s flyweight bout between Rose Namajunas and Amanda Ribas served as the headliner of tonight’s UFC Vegas 89 event.

Namajunas (12-6 MMA) entered tonight’s main event looking to snap a two-fight losing skid. ‘Thug’ had made her flyweight debut this past September, where she suffered a unanimous decision loss to Manon Fiorot. Prior to that, she dropped a decision to Carla Esparza to lose the promotion‘s strawweight title.

Meanwhile, Amanda Ribas (13-5 MMA) had most previously competed this past November, where she scored a third-round TKO victory over Luana Pinheiro. That finish had put Ribas back into the win column, as she had previously suffered a TKO loss to Maycee Barber.

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 89 main event proved to be a hard-fought twenty-five-minute affair. Rose Namajunas got off to a strong start in rounds one and two, but Amanda Ribas stormed back to clearly outpoint ‘Thug’ in the third frame. Rounds four and five were closely contested, but Namajunas was able to do just enough to earn a decision victory on all three of the judges’ scorecards. The win marked Rose’s first professional victory at flyweight.

Official UFC Vegas 89 Results: Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Namajunas vs. Ribas’ below:

I’m always in awe watching @rosenamajunas fight. She’s so crafty and creatively precise in all of her movements. #ufcfightnight

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) March 24, 2024

20-18 Rose, but a closer round than the first. Namajunas with control for final two minutes, but not much effective offence to speak of while on top while Ribas lands elbows from bottom.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 24, 2024

Massive final minute for Ribas, that’s her round. 2-1 Rose

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 24, 2024

For what it’s worth, Namajunas was credited with 0 significant ground strikes in the first two rounds per the official stats.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 24, 2024

You know the rule lol stay off social if you don’t want spoilers! https://t.co/B8yoJ9PFsJ

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) March 24, 2024

Rose the best when she’s the underdawg 🔥🔥🔥

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) March 24, 2024

Ribas coach is asking for a ko in the final round. I think it’s 2-2 takedown defense is more important in this last round ! #UFC

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 24, 2024

Post-fight reactions to Rose Namajunas defeating Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89: