Rose Namajunas has undergone surgery on her eye and is now medically cleared to resume training after a three-month recovery period. The former UFC strawweight champion suffered an eye injury during her bout with Natalia Silva at UFC 324, which required surgical intervention. Namajunas posted an update on social media calling for stricter penalties for eye pokes, even if accidental, citing the long-term health risks they pose to fighters. She expressed gratitude that her injury was not more severe and confirmed she is currently out of shape but eager to return. Her professional record stands at 14–8 overall and 12–7 in the UFC.
Rose Namajunas has undergone eye surgery and received medical clearance to resume training, the former UFC strawweight champion announced on social media roughly three months after suffering the injury at UFC 324.
Namajunas, 34, was hurt during her bout against Natalia Silva at the event, with the injury requiring surgical intervention before she could return to activity. The American fighter, who competes out of 303 Training Center, holds a professional record of 15–8 and is currently ranked sixth in the women's flyweight division. Known for her well-rounded game, she averages 3.5 significant strikes per minute and 1.47 takedowns per 15 minutes, with a submission attempt rate of 0.3 per 15 minutes. In her social media post, she acknowledged being out of shape following the layoff but expressed eagerness to get back to work. She also used the platform to call for stricter penalties on eye pokes, whether intentional or not, pointing to the serious long-term health risks they carry for fighters.
Silva, the Brazilian southpaw she faced that night, is 29 years old and sits fifth in the flyweight rankings with a record of 20–5–1. Training out of Team Borracha, she is one of the division's more active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Namajunas is ranked sixth at flyweight, meaning her return will have direct implications for the division's contender picture
- Her call for stricter eye-poke penalties adds to a broader conversation about fighter safety and rule enforcement in MMA
- With both fighters ranked inside the flyweight top six, their matchup at UFC 324 carried divisional weight, and Namajunas's comeback bout figures to as well
