SteemSports Presenter:
SteemSports Editor:
This stellar card features not only the premier lightweight fight that will crown the best 155er on the planet, it also reintroduces the former strawweight champion in Joanna to rematch her now foe Rose Namajunas. The unlikely ko of the long time streaking champion has led to an immediate rematch not everyone is so sure about..
The excuses from former champion JJ are a bit troubling. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani of 'mmasbn' she claimed Perfecting Athletes had the wrong calculations in regards to her weight cut, and she was forced to cut an inordinate 15 pounds in 12 hours.
Whether it was the weight cut or not, Joanna had bred a lot of bad blood into the fight and almost baited Rose into a brawl...something very inconsistent with the style she utilizes so well. When a tehnician tampers with a brawler, they must stick to a game plan or face the consequences.
It was a brutal two knockdowns before the tap to strikes came from the former champion Joanna, and to be frank she has not been the most honest about her loss and the leading up to it. Joanna still denies she tapped to strikes even though it was seen clear as day.
The pride, the broken win streak, the loss.... it is all obviously plaguing Joanna as she is still the headstrong champion she always was...and in essence her prideful attitude is good to maintain as that is what got her to the top. Joanna must be careful as now she knows what Rose is fully capable of.
The deciding factor of this fight will come into the emotion and anger brought in on both sides. Joanna let the aggravation fuel her and it cost her the win, Rose will most likely come in absolved of any past aggression..and just focus on her future as champion. Whomever wins, it will be glorious!
