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Rose Namajunas: No one is ready for Joanna Jedrzejczyk the way that I am
Jedrzejczyk has defended her title on three occasions already and beaten all the contenders thrown in her path, but a new opponent could emerge on Saturday night when Rose Namajunas faces Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 201.
Namajunas is riding a three-fight win streak that includes victories over Paige VanZant and Tecia Torres. With a win over Kowalkiewicz, she hopes to answer the champion's challenge about who's next.
"She has the right to say something like that. She's earned the right to be where she's at and for nobody to really feel like there's a challenger," Namajunas told FOX Sports about Jedrzejczyk's recent comments. "At the same time, it kind of makes me happy because I know that I'm coming and I know she smells me coming, too. It ain't that far behind.
"For me, it's like the truth don't get me mad. It's like who is ready for her. Obviously, me having this fight right now is not just because I want to stay active, I do want the experience, but I'm right (expletive) there.
Namajunas has come close to UFC gold before, when she fought Carla Esparza for the inaugural strawweight title after appearing on the 20th season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
Namajunas stumbled that night and ended up losing by TKO, but it was also only her fourth professional fight. Even she's brave enough to admit that she wasn't really ready to become champion back then.
"For me, I was just thrown into a title fight when I was 22 years old. So I really didn't know (expletive) back then versus where I'm at now," Namajunas said.
Now, Namajunas feels more confident than ever that when she gets a second bite at the apple the championship will finally come home with her.
"At this point in my life, this is the only thing that matters to me," Namajunas said about her career. "I have the most passion ever. So skill and passion has never been something that's a problem, it's just experience. I feel that's always been something I could use more of.
"Joanna says who's ready for her — after this fight, I will say I will be ready to fight for the belt that same night on July 30."
First things first, Namajunas has to deal with Kowalkiewicz and she's not looking past the Polish striker because she knows that's the worst thing she could do while inching ever closer to a title shot.
Actually, Namajunas was happy to get this matchup because Kowalkiewicz possesses many of the same weapons that Jedrzejczyk will carry into any potential fight they may have in the future. This is perfect preparation.
"I'm really looking forward to that. I feel like I'm just so happy to be part of this journey and fortunate to be in the position I'm in. I'm happy that the UFC is giving me this matchup because it kind of fits well with the way Joanna fights. She's a striker, and you don't see Karolina going to the ground either," Namajunas said.
"Everything's falling into place."
Namajunas will also have the chance to serve as the co-main event on the UFC 201 pay-per-view, so the entire world will be watching to see whether she can beat Kowalkiewicz and make the statement that she's ready for the title.
Some fighters might look at this kind of situation and see pressure, but Namajunas sees only opportunity.
"I rise to the occasion," Namajunas said. "I feel like the higher caliber opponent I have, the more it brings out of me."
