Rose Namajunas News
Rose Namajunas slated for flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris
Josh Evanoff - June 23, 2023
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will face Manon Fiorot in September. ‘Thug Rose’ has been out of the cage for well over a year, last competing last May. There, Rose Namajunas attempted to make yet another title defense against Carla Esparza. However, the two ended up putting on one of the worst bouts in promotional history at UFC 274.
UFC Vegas 73 winner Mackenzie Dern: Fighting Rose Namajunas is a "priority of mine right now"
Fernando Quiles - May 21, 2023
Mackenzie Dern is riding high after her dominating win over Angela Hill, and she’s now targeting Rose Namajunas. Dern promised a more aggressive approach ahead of her UFC Vegas 73 showdown with Hill. Dern delivered as advertised, turning up the heat with her striking, having relentless pressure in the grappling, and actively going for the finish throughout the fight. While Dern couldn’t secure the submission she was hoping for, she did earn a unanimous decision victory to keep her top 10 strawweight ranking safe.
Michael Bisping believes Rose Namajunas submission loss to Gillian Robertson explains why she “was so timid” in rematch with Carla Esparza
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2023
Michael Bisping believes Rose Namajunas’ recent submission loss to Gillian Robertson could explain her UFC 274 title defeat. During her career, Rose Namajunas has provided fans with two of the greatest title wins in UFC history. Her triumphs over Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili, simply put, were both remarkable in their own sense.
Rose Namajunas explains why she decided to address her childhood sexual abuse and other traumas in new documentary
Lewis Simpson - November 7, 2022
Rose Namajunas explained why she bravely decided to address her childhood sexual abuse trauma in her new documentary. Despite showing a ferocious and aggressive side to herself inside the Octagon, it’s no secret that the former strawweight queen is the opposite outside the cage.
Rose Namajunas says she “got what she needed” out of Carla Esparza rematch: “I’m an artist and you don’t always have Mona Lisas”
Susan Cox - November 3, 2022
Rose Namajunas claims she got what she needed out of the Carla Esparza rematch. Namajunas (11-5 MMA) and Esparza (20-6 MMA) originally met in December of 2014 in the women’s strawweight main event. It was to be Esparza defeating Rose by submission at 1:26 of Round 3. Esparaza became the first strawweight champion in Ultimate Fighting Championship history.
Former UFC champion Rose Namajunas poses for Victoria's Secret (Photo)
Josh Evanoff - October 5, 2022
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is branching out into modeling. ‘Thug Rose’ has been out of action since her fight with Carla Esparza in May. The bout was a rematch of their first encounter at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in 2014. In their first outing, Esparza picked up a third-round submission victory to become strawweight champion.
Yan Xiaonan calls for matchup with former champion Rose Namajunas next: "She's probably the best fighter in the division"
Josh Evanoff - October 3, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight contender Yan Xiaonan has a name in mind for her return. The Chinese fighter is fresh off her first headlining role at UFC Vegas 61 opposite Mackenzie Dern. Heading into the matchup, Xiaonan was hoping to snap a two-fight losing streak. Prior to the bout with the Brazilian, she had been defeated by Carla Esparza and Marina Rodriguez.
Rose Namajunas considering a move up to flyweight, discusses potential fight with longtime friend Valentina Shevchenko
Susan Cox - August 9, 2022
Rose Namajunas is considering a move up to flyweight and has discussed a potential fight with long time friend Vanentina Shevchenko. Namajunas (11-5 MMA) is coming off a loss against Carla Esparza (19-6 MMA) in May of this year at UFC 274. Prior to the loss, ‘Thug’ had 3 victories in a row.
Weili Zhang reacts after Rose Namajunas offers to help train Joanna Jedrzejczyk: “Does she think Joanna’s team is not good enough or what?”
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2022
Weili Zhang has given her thoughts after Rose Namajunas offered to help train Joanna Jedrzejczyk for their upcoming rematch. The fantastic series that has taken place over the course of the last five years between these three women serves as one of the hallmarks of the strawweight division in the UFC. Now, at UFC 275 next weekend, another chapter will be written as Weili Zhang prepares to go head to head with Joanna Jedrzejczyk in what promises to be another absolute barnburner in Singapore.
Chael Sonnen calls for Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas 3: "We have to redo the match"
Josh Evanoff - May 13, 2022
Chael Sonnen has given an unpopular opinion. ‘The Bad Guy’ thinks the UFC should book a trilogy fight between Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas. Last Saturday night at UFC 274, fans were witness to arguably the worst title fight in MMA history. Eight years after Esparza and Namajunas had an entertaining fight for the inaugural strawweight title, they had a terrible bout.
Sean Strickland responds after Pat Barry suggests his previous comments played a role in Rose Namajunas’ title loss: “I'll treat Pat Berry and Jim West like they treat minor.. Without consent”
Josh Evanoff - May 12, 2022
UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has reacted to Pat Barry’s recent comments about him. Last Saturday night, Rose Namajunas lost her UFC strawweight title to Carla Esparza. The fight was regarded as one of the worst in MMA history, as neither did much. Following the bout, Namajunas’s trainer Pat Barry said that recent drama could’ve affected her.
Pat Barry says Sean Strickland's recent comments could've led to Rose Namajunas' loss: "It's causing her to get into the fight and be emotional"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2022
Pat Barry has touched on Sean Strickland’s recent comments about his relationship with Rose Namajunas. Last month, the UFC middleweight contender went after Barry and Namajunas, among other MMA couples. Strickland alleged that the former UFC heavyweight contender is a groomer. The main reason is that Barry was much older when he met Namajunas, and it’s been alleged that she was a minor when they began dating.
Michael Bisping reacts to “cautious” performance from Rose Namajunas at UFC 274: “She s**t the bed”
Josh Evanoff - May 10, 2022
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has reacted to Rose Namajunas’s loss at UFC 274. Last Saturday night, ‘Thug Rose’ squared off with Carla Esparza. Eight years after their first encounter ended in a ‘Cookie Monster’ win, history would repeat itself. However, whereas their first fight was an entertaining submission win, the second was arguably the worst bout ever.
John McCarthy believes poor corner advice is partially to blame for the performance of Rose Namajunas at UFC 274
Susan Cox - May 10, 2022
John McCarthy is weighing in on the performance of Rose Namajunas this past Saturday night at UFC 274, believing poor corner advise is partially to blame for the loss. It was Rose Namajunas (12-5 MMA) vs Carla Esparza (20-6 MMA) in the strawweight co-main event. Carla was to be the victor by split decision, stripping the title from Rose. While anticipation leading up to the fight was great, the outcome proved to be so lacklustre that some media reports are saying it just might have been the worst UFC title fight in history.
Henry Cejudo calls 'Namajunas vs. Esparza 2' the worst fight in UFC history: "Rose you just don't deserve a rematch"
Christopher Taylor - May 9, 2022
Henry Cejudo has dubbed last weekend’s Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza rematch as the worst fight in UFC history. Namajunas (11-5 MMA) put her strawweight on the line against Esparza (19-6 MMA) in the co-headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 274 event in Phoenix. The bout served as a rematch as the pair had previously met back in December of 2014, where it was ‘Cookie Monster’ who came out the victor by way of submission to capture the promotions inaugural strawweight world title.
Carla Esparza reacts to commentary criticism during her fight with Rose Namajunas: "They were being real"
Josh Evanoff - May 9, 2022
UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza understood the criticism she received from the broadcast booth. Last Saturday night at UFC 274, ‘Cookie Monster’ faced off against Rose Namajunas. The two had clashed eight years prior, with Esparza picking up the win to become strawweight champion. At UFC 274, she once again picked up the victory, but in a much different fashion.
Rose Namajunas issues statement on social media, Ronda Rousey and Joanna Jedrzejczyk send messages of support
Christopher Taylor - May 8, 2022
Rose Namajunas received messages of support from Ronda Rousey and Joanna Jedrzejczyk after issuing a statement on her title loss at UFC 274. Namajunas (11-5 MMA) put her UFC strawweight title on the line against Carla Esparza (19-6 MMA) in the co-headliner of last night’s pay-per-view event in Phoenix.
Dana White reacts to “weird fight” between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza at UFC 274
Fernando Quiles - May 8, 2022
Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza didn’t exactly have a barnburner and UFC President Dana White was just as confused as everyone else. Going into the UFC 274 card, Namajunas was the UFC Strawweight Champion. Esparza was looking to become a two-time titleholder. She was the inaugural UFC Strawweight Champion.