Ex-champ Rose Namajunas shuts down surging contender at UFC Atlanta

Namajunas Drops Maverick In Third Round

Set as the penultimate bout for UFC Atlanta, Namajunas vs. Maverick followed Edmen Shahbazyan's unanimous decision victory over Andre Petroski.

The two women set a high pace right from the start of the fight, with Maverick seemingly undaunted by the fact that she was trading blows with a former UFC champion.

Significant shots were landed by both sides in the opening frame, and after exchanging again during the early part of the second round Namajunas decided to switch things up and bring her opponent to the mat.

Maverick was briefly able to work to her feet before being dragged to the canvas again, but things took a turn late in the round when the 27-year-old created a scramble that almost allowed her to lock up an arm triangle choke.

The momentum shifted again in the third round when Namajunas dropped Maverick and jumped into top position, and "Thug" was able to stifle her opponent's attempts to get back to her feet en route to a unanimous decision victory.

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