“Karate Hottie” vs. “Thug” in 2017? Rose Namajunas is Down

Rose Namajunas has her next opponent in mind.

Namajunas posted on Instagram that she would like to face off against recent UFC on FOX 22 winner Michelle Waterson. Like Waterson, Namajunas holds a submission win over Paige VanZant.

First off I want to congratulate @karatehottiemma on a SPECTACULAR performance! You showed tremendous growth and hunger as a fighter/mother/wife/cool person since knowing you so hats off to you! Secondly I want to acknowledge the messages I've been getting from my fans that this is the next matchup y'all want to see! Me too! Make it happen @danawhite @ufc

A photo posted by Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) on Dec 18, 2016 at 12:03pm PST

Namajunas and Waterson both competed under the Invicta FC banner before the UFC created the strawweight division. Namajunas competed on The Ultimate Fighter, finishing as a runner-up, while Waterson waited to sign with the promotion after her run as Invicta FC atomweight champion ended.

The 24-year-old Namajunas (5-3) was defeated by Karolina Kowalkiewicz via split decision in a title-eliminator this past July, snapping her three-fight win streak. Waterson (14-4), who turns 31 in January, has won each of her two UFC appearances.