Rose Namajunas found herself again in a river in Irvine, Kentucky.

It was there where Namajunas was baptized a little over a year ago — part of a rededication that’s underscored a late-career push to become a two-division UFC champion.

In that time, the Westminster resident gave up drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, and channeled her focus on her Christian faith.

The result’s been a two-fight win streak she’s looking to extend Saturday in a main-card bout against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night in Edmonton, Canada.

It’s the first time in Namajunas’ UFC career that she’s had three fights in a calendar year.

“I drifted away from my faith in my younger adult life, and didn’t feel like I needed God at one point,” Namajunas said. “Then I realized, I really do, and I started searching. … And ever since I’ve brought Him back into my life, it’s been everything to me. That is driving all of my thoughts and actions every day. Anytime I get away from (my faith), I don’t recognize myself all of a sudden. It’s the anchor that keeps pulling me back.

“It’s something that I feel called to do, and I would say it’s the source of all of my success right now.”

The 32-year-old Namajunas, a two-time strawweight division champion who moved up to flyweight in 2023, started in the 125-pound weight class with a loss to Manon Fiorot in September 2023. But Namajunas responded with consecutive victories, first over Amanda Ribas in May, then over Tracy Cortez in the main event at Ball Arena in July.

Namajunas’ decision to get baptized again — she was also baptized when she was 9 years old,but says it was by her abusive stepfather and thus “was a confusing thing for me” — has fueled her drive to step into the octagon for the third time in 2024.

“I basically just made a decision of, if I can (fight a lot), I’m going to do it,” Namajunas said. “Normally, after my last performance (in Denver), the thought when I was younger would be to just enjoy my time a little bit. There wasn’t quite that sense of urgency.

“But now, I’m ready to find out if I can complete all the tasks I want to complete for my career, and see what I’m capable of. If I can be a two-division champion, I’m going to do it in the most efficient and also the most enjoyable way.”

Namajunas is ranked No. 5 in the flyweight division and is a +105 betting underdog against No. 3 Blanchfield, who enters Rogers Place coming off a loss to Fiorot in March. Before that, Blanchfield won her first six UFC fights.

With a win over Blanchfield, Namajunas would be knocking on the door for a shot at the flyweight belt currently held by Valentina Shevchenko, who took the title back from Alexa Grasso with a unanimous victory at UFC 306 in September. Grasso remains the No. 1 contender, and Fiorot is No. 2. Greeley fighter Maycee Barber is No. 4 but has been sidelined recently by medical issues that forced her to withdraw from July’s planned bout against Namajunas in Denver.

“If I win this fight, (a title shot) would make sense,” Namajunas said. “I think the UFC will probably try to do Manon versus Shevchenko (for the next title fight) because that also makes sense. It depends on when that lines up and if I, based off my performance and what the UFC offers, get that chance.

“I’ve also enjoyed being as active as I have been, so I don’t mind taking another fight if need be. But I also want to become a two-division champion and I know my time is limited. … The UFC should make that (Manon vs. Shevchenko) fight happen, and I should be next right in line if that’s how things play out.”