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Maycee Barber Responds To Rose Namajunas' Callout: 'It Would Be Fighting Backwards...'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated 4/1/24

UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber isn't sure that a showdown with former two-time strawweight queen Rose Namajunas makes sense for her next.

Barber is currently riding the best run of her UFC stint to date, having won six consecutive fights en route to a career-high #4 ranking at 125 pounds.

"The Future" most recently broke into title contention with a decision victory over former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara at last month's UFC 299 pay-per-view in Miami, Florida.

In the aftermath, Barber staked her claim for a shot at gold opposite the winner of the expected trilogy fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko later this year. The 25-year-old has long targeted redemption against the Mexican champion, who got the better of her on the scorecards at UFC 258 in 2021.

But with Grasso and "Bullet" first battling as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, many have suggested that Barber will need to notch another win in the meantime, especially following the recent success of France's Manon Fiorot.

Should that be the case, "The Future" won't be without a notable option, having been the subject of a callout from a high-profile name.

Barber: For The First Time, Facing Namaunas Would Be Fighting Backwards

During a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Barber assessed what could await her inside the cage next time out and responded to a recent callout.

Namajunas secured her first win as a flyweight at the second time of trying last month, getting the better of Amanda Ribas in a UFC Fight Night main event. Following the win, "Thug Rose" expressed interest in facing Barber next.

In response, "The Future" noted that such a contest against the #7-ranked contender would see her compete down the ladder. Nevertheless, she acknowledged Namajunas as a fighter with whom she shares some history and has long desired to fight.

"Yeah, I think that that's a great matchup for me. The only downside is I'd be fighting backwards" Barber said. "For the first time, I can actually say that me fighting Rose Namajunas would be fighting backwards in the division, even though a win over her is like, a win over a former champion, a win over someone who has been in such a great position for so long.

"It would be a great win for me. So that's something I have been thinking about. I would like to fight her, for sure," Barber continued. "We do have some history. I used to train with her out here in Denver. Then I fought Audrey Perkins, (who) was a former teammate of hers. I fought JJ Aldrich and I remember Rose and Pat (Barry) being in the corner or the crowd. Rose, it just broke her when I beat JJ. So there is some bitterness there. She wants to be the one to beat me."

It remains to be seen whether the promotion will look to place Barber opposite Namajunas in a potential title eliminator down the line.

Thug Rose is back in the win column after #UFCVegas89 @RoseNamajunas plans on staying in the Women's Flyweight division. Who do you want to see her take on in the Octagon next? pic.twitter.com/jFcwKzgAqg
— UFC (@ufc) March 24, 2024

Should the UFC pursue other avenues, perhaps a clash with Erin Blanchfield could be on the cards.

The pair have developed quite the feud in recent times, and "Cold Blooded" will have to take her sights away from the title for the time being after being outpointed by Fiorot this past weekend in Atlantic City.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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