Rose Namajunas speaks candidly about her disappointing performance during her second strawweight title reign, admitting that she agrees with criticisms calling it “one of the most boring fights ever,” and is now focusing on her upcoming fight in the new 125 pound division.
Rose Namajunas is frankly critical of her most recent fight, not seeking to gloss over any of its flaws. Over 15 months ago, Namajunas’ reign as the strawweight titleholder came to an unfortunate end at UFC 274. “Thug Rose,” as she is popularly known, faced off against Carla Esparza, in an attempt to avenge a loss from 2014. However, the bout was less than stellar, with neither fighter distinguished themselves, and after a long 25 minutes, Esparza managed to claim a narrow split decision victory, securing the title from Namajunas.
Following their fight, Namajunas and Esparza faced widespread criticism for a lackluster performance from fans, fellow fighters, and even the commentary team on the night. When asked if she felt the scathing reviews were unwarranted, Namajunas had no qualms about agreeing. She conceded, “No, that was definitely one of the most boring fights ever.” Speaking at the UFC Paris media day, she admitted feeling emotional about the critique, as fighting was more than just a sport for her, it was an art.
Namajunas confessed that the harsh feedback for her rare off-performance initially affected her. She felt that she deserved it, although she was a little bitter. However, she later came to realize that her personal challenges were not the concern of the audience. Their main objective was to be inspired, entertained, or enlightened. It was her duty as a martial artist to deliver exemplary performances. Noteworthy finishes against opponents like Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, as well as several exciting contests that went the distance, were among her career highlights.
Namajunas is now seeking a fresh beginning in a new division by moving up to 125 pounds to challenge top contender Manon Fiorot this Saturday. A win could potentially drastically improve her flyweight rankings, possibly making her the No 1 contender for the winner of the title bout between champion Alexa Grasso and former champion Valentina Shevchenko set for Sept. 16th. For now, however, Namajunas is solely focused on Fiorot, preferring to leave the contender talk to others. Asked if she expected a title shot after the UFC Paris, she exhibited a Zen-like approach, stating, “No expectations… That would definitely be a dream come true…But I’m not looking too far ahead, I’m just kind of in the moment.”