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Women’s Strawweights

Rose Namajunas (4-2) vs. Tecia Torres (7-0)

THE MATCHUP: After Joanna Jedrzejczyk-Claudia Gadelha, this is probably the best matchup possible in the strawweight division. Namajunas has a much-deserved reputation for exciting performances, while Torres’ UFC outings have not inspired the same kind of praise. Expect “Thug Rose” to bring the best out of her, however. The last time a Torres fight thrilled the crowd, Namajunas was the opponent.

Namajunas has grown exponentially since her loss to Torres. At that time, she was a wild and reckless brawler with an aggressive sprint grappling game. The submission skills have stayed -- and even sharpened -- but Namajunas’ boxing has seen the most dramatic improvement. In her most recent performance, a dominant victory over strawweight superstar Paige VanZant, Namajunas showed off a keen understanding of range that allowed her to pick apart her opponent with tight, accurate punches. Namajunas worked brilliantly behind a long jab, an ideal weapon for her lanky frame and one that allowed her to maintain her stamina for five rounds despite taking the fight on short notice. That is a big improvement for a fighter who lost her title bout with Carla Esparza in large part due to inefficiency.

Namajunas’ newfound economy of motion carries over into her wrestling. She not only seems to have gained a bit of physical strength over the last year -- few expected her to muscle around VanZant in the clinch the way she did -- but her technique has improved, as well. As a tall fighter, Namajunas does not play around with low angles and leg attacks, preferring to fight in the clinch. With aggressive head-fighting, she controls her opponent until she can gain double underhooks, at which point she employs a variety of lifts, trips and twisting body lock takedowns. On the ground, Namajunas’ ability to float from one position to the next is unparalleled in this division. She maintains her aggressive approach to submissions but no longer sacrifices position unless she has an airtight hold on an arm or neck.

Torres is a good striker herself, though she has an odd, idiosyncratic style. Unlike Namajunas, Torres does not utilize much of a jab. From either stance, she is heavily dependent on her right hand, hooking from southpaw and leaping in with lead rights from orthodox. Where Namajunas employs a standard, jab-heavy approach, Torres’ combinations are frequently just series of right-handed attacks, with the left hand serving as more of a measuring stick. Torres does make up for the limitations of this style with a varied kicking game, owed to her taekwondo background. Torres throws quick round kicks, more snappy than they are powerful, and often follows up with a quick side kick to the midsection in order to maintain the distance.

Wrestling has become an increasingly important aspect of Torres’ fighting style. “The Tiny Tornado” is fond of the clinch, and her stout, muscular frame gives her an edge near the fence, where she can easily slide her forehead under her opponent’s chin and hold her upright. Though Torres is not particularly dangerous from this position, she will happily maintain control and chip away with knees while the opponent struggles to free herself. Torres also uses a variety of tricky takedown entries, most of them based on the threat of her lunging right hand. With quick level changes, she shoots a solid traditional double-leg. On the ground, Torres is concerned more with control than attacks.

THE ODDS: Namajunas (-240), Torres (+200)

THE PICK: This is a fascinating matchup, and either woman could walk away with the win. Namajunas would seem to have the edge at range, where she should be able to keep Torres on the end of her jab. However, Torres moves more than any other opponent Namajunas has ever faced. That lateral movement will not only make it difficult for Namajunas to line up her straight punches but will also create angles for Torres’ quick right hands and tricky takedown attempts. Then again, Torres has not faced any opponent with Namajunas’ timing and athleticism in recent memory. Namajunas’ newly developed clinch game -- and much-improved takedown defense -- should allow her to decide when and how the fight goes to the ground, where her aggressive but mature submission grappling gives her the edge. The pick is Namajunas by unanimous decision.

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