What to do with Andrade who strikes Namajunas on the head

Jessica Andrade became the new UFC straw champion after eliminating Rose Namajunas on Saturday night at UFC 237, but that was not all. It was a knockout slam.

For almost 7:58, Namajunas caught up with Andrade quickly and combos that bloodied his face. Daniel Cormier had stated that Namajunas "organized a master class" at the end of the first round. Then the second round started and Andrade's power became a factor. It also made the difference, as she thwarted Kimura's attempt with a huge slam – essentially a pile driver – that ended the fight. Namajunas was out by the time his head bounced off the canvas.

A debate on social networks ensues later on the legality of slam Andrade, and "Big" John McCarthy is one of the first to make things clear. But what do we do with the way the fight is over? Ben Fowlkes, Fernanda Prates and Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie are heard in this edition of "Triple Take".

Ben Fowlkes: It's a legitimate victory, but I'm not sure it was convincing enough.

First, let me tell you what I am do not go do. I will not pretend that Jessica Andrade did not deserve to win this fight, or that the mechanisms of her slam were illegal or unfair. I do not pretend she does not deserve to walk around with the UFC Straw Title for now, because she does it.

What I am going to say is this: Andrade was losing practically every second of this fight – until she threw Rose Namajunas on the head. It was an intentional gesture on his part, and actually violent, but it was also a bit like the grappler's version of the so-called "lucky" shot.

That is to say, I'm not sure she can do it again if she had to, and I probably would not choose her for revenge.

In fact, if I am a weight-of-powder contender within the UFC at present, I am probably encouraged by this title change. Because the Namajunas we saw in the first seven minutes were downright scary. Her movement, her timing, the way she mixed strikes and landed cleanly, both in the lead and the opposite, were impressive.

After being cut and passed from the beginning, Andrade had only the chance to sneak between her and muzzle. And, honestly, this strategy would not have worked better.

Again, that always counts, and Andrade is still the champion. Nobody can take that away from him. But until she really marks her reign on the title with a dominant defense, I'm going to have questions. I think I'm not the only one.

Next Page – Fernanda Prates: A brutal return does not seem satisfactory, but it does not detract from victory.