Jedrzejczyk sees Namajunas as next title challenger

Rose Namajunas can save the matchmakers a lot of trouble with a win over Karolina Kowalkiewicz.

At the very least, "Thug Rose" has the endorsement of strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk as far as who should be next for a title shot at 115 pounds.

Jedrzejczyk recently recorded her third straight successful title defense and she gave her thoughts on the strawweight landscape at a Q&A on Friday in Chicago.

"I know that I'm ready to fight again and that I have no injuries after my fight with Claudia Gadelha," Jedrzejczyk said, according to Jim Edwards of FloCombat. "I'm ready to go and I really want to fight in New York (in November) but if they (UFC) don't put me on this card then nothing is going to happen I will just want to fight within two or three months.

" ... I don't know exactly who will be my next opponent, it might be Rose Namajunas. We will see, first of all she must win against Karolina (Kowalkiewicz)."

Namajunas and Kowalkiewicz are ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in the UFC's official rankings, respectively. They fight in the co-main event of UFC 201 Saturday in Atlanta.

A win for Namajunas would give her four straight wins in the Octagon, a streak surpassed only by the champ herself. As for Kowalkiewicz, she is undefeated in nine professional fights, but Jedrzejczyk thinks her fellow Pole still needs to beef up her resume.

"If Rose beats Karolina then I think she will get the title shot," Jedrzejczyk said. "If Karolina beats Rose then I think she will have one more fight before she gets her shot at the title. But, yes I can fight in New York this year and then I can fight in Poland against Karolina Kowalkiewicz if she deserves it."