Less than a week after the announcement that former champions Rose Namajunas and Alexa Grasso would be meeting at UFC 324, the match-up has already been changed. Mexico’s Grasso has withdrawn from the bout, as reported by Sherdog. UFC 324 is the first card of the new era of the UFC. It’s the first numbered card on Paramount Plus and will be headlined by a pair of title fights. In the main event, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje meet for the interim lightweight title and in the co-main, Kayla Harrison meets the returning Amanda Nunes.
Fear not, Rose Namajunas fans. It’s not that Thug Rose will be withdrawing from the card also. She’s now matched with #2 ranked flyweight, Natalia Silva.
Rose Namajunas vs Natalia Silva Set for UFC 324
We assumed Silva, who has amassed a record of 19-5-1, including a 7-0 UFC record, would be the next contender for flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko. The champion dominated Zhang Weili at UFC 322, cementing herself as #1 pound for pound female on the roster.
Most recently, Silva picked up a unanimous decision victory over Grasso at UFC 315, marking the second former champion that she’s defeated during her three year UFC career, alongside Jessica Andrade.
Rose Namajunas has a huge opportunity to get herself in the title picture at UFC 324. She’s 2-3 at flyweight, losing when she’s been the underdog and beating those where she’s been the favourite. Her most recent outing saw her beat Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision in June.
It’s a risky fight for Silva, who is close to a title shot, however, as they say, no risk, no reward.
