Rose Namajunas News
UFC Paris Results: Manon Fiorot defeats Rose Namajunas (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - September 2, 2023
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Paris results, including the co-main event between Rose Namajunas and Manon Fiorot. Namajunas (12-5 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since losing the strawweight title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274 in May of 2022. Prior that setback, ‘Thug’ was on a three-fight winning streak, which included back-to-back victories over reigning strawweight queen Zhang Weili.
Rose Namajunas reflects on horrific rematch with Carla Esparza: "One of the most boring fights ever"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2023
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas has reflected on her loss to Carla Esparza. ‘Thug Rose’ is slated to return to the cage in the co-main event of UFC France this Saturday. There, Rose Namajunas is expected to face Manon Fiorot in her first fight up at flyweight. For the former champion, the fight will be her first in over a year, since her UFC 274 rematch with Carla Esparza.
Rose Namajunas explains the approach she would take in a potential fight with friend and training partner Valentina Shevchenko
Susan Cox - August 30, 2023
Rose Namajunas is explaining the approach she would take in a potential fight with friend and training partner, Valentina Shevchenko. UFC Paris will see Rose Namajunas (12-5 MMA) and Manon Fiorot (10-1 MMA) battle it out in the co-main event.
Rose Namajunas explains motivation behind her move up to flyweight: “I want something that scares me”
Fernando Quiles - August 14, 2023
Rose Namajunas has given her reason behind moving up to the women’s flyweight division. Namajunas is a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. Her exit from the 115-pound division wasn’t exactly ideal. Namajunas suffered a split decision loss against Carla Esparza in a bout that was widely panned for its lack of activity. “Thug” Rose lost the strawweight championship, and she’s hoping a move up to flyweight can shed the negativity from her last outing.
Manon Fiorot questions Rose Namajunas' flyweight move: "In a few months, you can't prepare"
Josh Evanoff - July 3, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight contender Manon Fiorot feels confident against Rose Namajunas. ‘The Beast’ has been out of the cage since her clash with Kaitlyn Chookagian last October. There, the French fighter captured a unanimous decision win, moving to 10-1 in the process. While Manon Fiorot was later linked to names such as Erin Blanchfield, she will instead face Rose Namajunas.
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 hopes for trilogy with Carla Esparza, but admits there isn't much fan interest: "I don’t know if I’d want to subject the fans to that"
Josh Evanoff - November 3, 2022
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is back on the hunt for gold. ‘Thug Rose’ has been out of action since her rematch with Carla Esparza in May. Their first encounter eight years prior was one-sided traffic. Esparza dominated and won by submission to become the first UFC women’s strawweight champion.
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.
Weili Zhang scolds Rose Namajunas for her performance against Carla Esparza at UFC 274: “She wanted to take care of her belt and didn’t want to fight hard”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2022
Weili Zhang has questioned Rose Namajunas’ performance against Carla Esparza in their UFC 274 title fight last month. If there’s one fighter Weili Zhang knows better than most, it’s Rose Namajunas. Across their two previous encounters, Namajunas was able to get the better of her foe with both a knockout win and a split decision triumph.
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.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk sends a warning to newly crowned UFC champion Carla Esparza: “History likes to make a circle and I’m soon to be champ”
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has sent a warning to Carla Esparza following the latter’s win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Next month at UFC 275, Joanna Jedrzejczyk will run it back with Zhang Weili as they square off in a number one contender match-up at strawweight. The victor is expected to go on and challenge for the belt later this year, and after UFC 274, we now know that Carla Esparza is the champion they’d be facing.
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.