Rose Namajunas gets new opponent at UFC 324 – Alexa Grasso injured

Less than a week after it was announced that former champions Rose Namajunas and Alexa Grasso would meet at UFC 324, the bout has already been changed. Mexico’s Grasso has withdrawn from the fight, as reported by Shepherd. UFC 324 is the first card of the new era of the UFC. It is 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. That’s not it Criminal Rose will also withdraw from the map. She is now paired with No. 2 ranked flyweight Natalia Silva.

Rose Namajunas vs Natalia Silva set for UFC 324

We assumed that 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 the #1 pound-for-pound woman on the roster.

Most recently, Silva earned a unanimous decision win over Grasso at UFC 315, making her the second former champion she defeated during her three-year UFC career, joining Jessica Andrade.

Rose Namajunas has a huge opportunity to get into the title picture at UFC 324. She is 2-3 at flyweight, losing when she is the underdog and beating those where she was the favorite. In her most recent appearance, she defeated Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision in June.

It’s a risky fight for Silva, who is close to a title shot, but as they say: no risk, no reward.