Love Namajunas. she is better EVERYWHERE!
Volkov won't do anything to big country
Zak should fight better guys than Coy tbh.
Namajunas has better ranged boxing for sure. She was easily beating Karolina in striking until they got in the clinch. However, I believe Waterson has better kicks and will use them to good effect, as she has in all of her fights. Between the two, I expect the striking to be even.
The clinch, wrestling and ground game is where I feel it will be more interesting. Neither have looked super impressive in the clinch recently. Rose has the excuse of Karolina being a very good clinch fighter. The only excuse I can think of for Waterson for merely holding her own against the subpar Vanzant and Magana in the clinch is this: she was using the clinch to set up her suddenly unstoppable throws. Seriously, Waterson has a 100% takedown rate now in the UFC.
If this fight goes bad for Namajunas, this is where it will happen. She is not a super strong fighter and we have seen her wilt against a strong wrestler in Esparza. Michelle has looked quite powerful at 115, mainly because she has learned how to engage her massive legs for hip throws and even a suplex.
Once it goes to the ground, you would have to be a massive Rose fanboy to not see Michelle has a big advantage. Rose looked bad against a Polish kickboxer on the ground. Michelle has submitted Penne, Magana and Vanzant. Rose has not looked as impressive in that area.
Yes, I'm a Waterson fan, but I've watched every fight of both of these fighters multiple times and am a fan of both. They are very similar, well rounded fighters, but Michelle is hitting her peak right now and Rose is still putting it together.
I expect a good fight, but I expect Waterson to win by unanimous decision or submission.