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RIO DE JANEIRO – Rose Namajunas is not in a position to defend herself, but only because of the positive experience she has had in Brazil so far in UFC 237.
Namajunas (8-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) enters hostile territory on Saturday, while she puts her featherweight title on UFC 237's line of sight in Rio de Janeiro against the Brazilian Jessica Andrade (19-6 MMA, 10-4 CFU). Although the champion and her opponent had a warm relationship before the fight night, "Thug Rose" remains on full alert.
"My guards are still very high," Namajunas told MMA Junkie. "I protect myself all the time. Obviously, we are cordial and respectful. It's a big change of pace, but I always focus on me and that's it. "
UFC 237 takes place at the Arena Youth. Namajunas vs. Andrade introduces the main pay-per-view card after the preliminary matches of ESPN and the UFC Fight Pass.
Namajunas, 26, was sometimes applauded during Wednesday's open training session when she first appeared in the media. However, the tone will surely change in the fight night, as it is a guarantee that Brazilian fans will cover it with famous songs before and during the fight.
Only one foreign champion in the history of UFC came to Brazil and successfully defended a title. Ronda Rousey achieved the feat at the UFC 190 in August 2015 and Namajunas is captivated by the opportunity to reiterate this feat.
"Human curiosity is a crazy thing and the goal is to know if I can do it or not, or will I do it?" Said Namajunas. "I know I can do it, it's just a question of whether I can."
Despite maintaining the belt, Namajunas, No. 1 in the latest US heavyweight USA TODAY Sports / MMA Junkie rankings, made its debut in the UFC 237 as an outsider betting on Andrade, ranked No. 3. This is not an unknown position for her, however, because Namajunas had the odds against her during her four fights for the UFC title.
Namajunas said that she was happy not to be seen and that she had some theories about why she might not always have her due.
"I think maybe because I wear my heart on my sleeve, I take my emotions and I think some people take it for weakness," said Namajunas. "Plus, I'm long and long, so maybe some people think I'm not strong or anything, but it's more than that. I am strong, but it is also strong mentally, very spiritually, everything. The whole package. "
Namajunas will probably need the entire pack to beat Andrade, who has the most fights and is tied for the highest number of wins among all the players in the history of the UFC. The Brazilian will have the crowd behind her and a powerful style capable of representing a serious threat to the champion, but Namajunas thinks she has the skills to react to the fight.
"(I win the fight by) just be myself," Namajunas said. "Do not force things, be totally and naturally and in the present moment – in the present moment."
For full coverage of UFC 237, see the UFC Events section of the site.
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