Rose Namajunas Outpoints Miranda Maverick, Scores Late Knockdown in UFC Atlanta Victory

Former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas delivered one of her sharpest performances as a flyweight, earning a unanimous decision win over Miranda Maverick in the co-main event of UFC Atlanta. The bout was marked by slick striking, smart movement, and a pivotal third-round knockdown that sealed the deal for Namajunas.

From the outset, Namajunas looked composed and crisp, using fluid footwork and well-timed counters to outmaneuver the aggressive Maverick. While Maverick pressed forward with constant pressure, she struggled to land cleanly as Namajunas fired back with speed and precision. The first round saw both women exchanging heavy shots, and although Namajunas attempted a takedown, Maverick defended well and forced the action back to the feet.

As the second round unfolded, Namajunas appeared increasingly confident, throwing fast combinations and landing clean punches that snapped Maverick’s head back. A key moment came when Namajunas countered a body kick, brought the fight to the ground, and transitioned to back control. She threatened with a rear-naked choke, slipping her arm under Maverick’s chin for a moment, but Maverick stayed composed, eventually reversing the position and nearly locking in an arm-triangle choke before the horn sounded.

With two competitive rounds behind them, Namajunas turned the tide in the third. She connected with a slick counter hook that dropped Maverick to the canvas—the only knockdown of the fight. The shot landed so swiftly that the broadcast needed a replay to catch it clearly. Namajunas followed Maverick to the ground and briefly threatened with an arm-triangle choke, but Maverick again showed her resilience by escaping the submission.

The final round ended with more back-and-forth grappling, but Namajunas’ clean knockdown and control time left little doubt. The judges agreed, awarding her the victory with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

“I was pretty sure [I won], I think it came down to the third round,” Namajunas said afterward. “Dropped her and stayed on top of her most of the time. She fought like a dog, I really respect that.”

The win marks Namajunas’ second straight victory at flyweight and moves her to 3-2 in the division. With this performance, she strengthens her claim as a true contender at 125 pounds, hoping the UFC matches her with a higher-ranked opponent next.

Namajunas’ evolution as a flyweight appears to be taking shape, blending her trademark footwork and striking with improved grappling transitions and cage control. Meanwhile, Maverick, though falling short on the scorecards, proved her toughness and skill by surviving several close submission attempts and keeping the pressure on throughout.

As Namajunas continues to adapt to her new weight class, her sights remain fixed on climbing toward another UFC title shot—this time in the flyweight division.