At the start of 2019, Rose Namajunas was firmly situated on top the women’s strawweight division. The Trevor Wittman-trained fighter had only fought once the year before, but in beating Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the second time – at UFC 223 in Brooklyn – she secured her place as the unquestioned queen at 115 lbs. That is, right up until Jessica Andrade sent her sailing through the air in the second round of their title fight at UFC 237.
Andrade’s slam KO was one of the most iconic finishes of the year, and it put a firm halt to any and all of Namajunas’ momentum.