New Delhi: Rose Namajunas, a prominent figure in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world, has mesmerized audiences with her exceptional skills and impressive career in the sport.
Known for his dynamic fighting style and unwavering determination, Namajunas has had an illustrious career in the UFC's strawweight division.
Moving up the weight division, she won the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship not once, but twice, showing off her resilience and tenacity inside the Octagon.
Beyond her accomplishments inside the cage, Namajunas has become an inspirational figure outside of the cage, speaking openly about mental health issues and advocating for self-belief and empowerment.
Throughout her MMA career, Rose Namajunas has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with, delivering unforgettable performances and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
With her combination of skill, athleticism, and determination, she continues to inspire fans around the world and remains a central figure in the ever-evolving world of women's MMA. As Namajunas continues to pursue excellence in her craft, she is undoubtedly a formidable presence in the UFC and continues to be a role model for aspiring fighters around the world.
How has your MMA journey been so far?
It's been an amazing journey, with many ups and downs for sure. It was like traversing huge mountains, peaks and valleys, some beautiful moments, some very tough moments, but all in all it was definitely a fun ride.
What was the story behind you choosing MMA as a career? Was it always your first love?
I've always been a martial artist, and as an adult I spent my childhood trying to figure out a way to make a living doing it so I didn't have to rely on anyone else. I had done martial arts and many other things, but this was the first time I started training at a gym where people did martial arts for a living. That's when I realized that maybe I could do it too. There were no other girls doing it at the time other than Gina Carano, so the opportunities were very limited, but I had enough to believe that I could create that opportunity.
Speaking of limited opportunities, how was your family's support when you told them you wanted to become a martial artist?
They weren't very supportive at first. My mom was kind of used to me competing in martial arts competitions. My grandfather was a wrestler in Lithuania, so it wasn't an entirely new concept, but as in Lithuanian culture, women weren't supposed to fight. When I first started, I think my first and biggest opponent was my grandmother, but it took a long time for people to understand that women can fight too. It's gotten a lot more normal these days, but it still gets a little weird sometimes.
Who inspires you in mixed martial arts and why?
Lots of inspiration. The most recent person in my career, who I admired and still respect, is Valentina Shevchenko. Her career as a woman in this sport is incredible. I think she's one of the fighters I respect the most. I guess she's also someone like Georges St-Pierre. There are a lot of people I admire and their accomplishments, but Valentina, as a female mixed martial artist, she did it in spades. Amanda Nunes too. But having known Valentina personally, training with her and watching her do well, she holds a special place in my heart as a fan.
Can you tell us about your upcoming fights, how you are preparing and how you see them going?
Yeah, I'm very ready for this fight. I think it's going in a lot of different directions, but ultimately I think it's just me performing really well. Punch her in the face, take her back and choke her. That's how I envision this going.
What is your favorite and most memorable match of your career so far?
I think it would be a very close match between either Joanna or Weili Zhang when I won the title.
Finally, what is the secret to being a fighter? What does it take mentally and physically to be a UFC fighter?
That's a very good question. I think a lot of it has to do with the belief within yourself that you understand it. You have to know why you're doing it and what you're doing. What do you want to achieve with it? You have to be very clear and honest with yourself. You also need a support system. A good team and people to support you. Also, your personal life should be well managed as it can affect your career. And as much as you want to have some kind of plan in place to be able to change right away, you can successfully make that transition across careers. You could probably write a book about it. Having a handbook will help you advance in your career. I'm fortunate that Pat, my husband, and many others before me have had similar careers, and I've been able to learn from their careers.
Watch UFC Fight Night: Rivas vs. Namajunas on March 24, 2024 on Sony Sports Network.
Known for his dynamic fighting style and unwavering determination, Namajunas has had an illustrious career in the UFC's strawweight division.
Moving up the weight division, she won the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship not once, but twice, showing off her resilience and tenacity inside the Octagon.
Beyond her accomplishments inside the cage, Namajunas has become an inspirational figure outside of the cage, speaking openly about mental health issues and advocating for self-belief and empowerment.
Throughout her MMA career, Rose Namajunas has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with, delivering unforgettable performances and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
With her combination of skill, athleticism, and determination, she continues to inspire fans around the world and remains a central figure in the ever-evolving world of women's MMA. As Namajunas continues to pursue excellence in her craft, she is undoubtedly a formidable presence in the UFC and continues to be a role model for aspiring fighters around the world.
How has your MMA journey been so far?
Expanding
What was the story behind you choosing MMA as a career? Was it always your first love?
I've always been a martial artist, and as an adult I spent my childhood trying to figure out a way to make a living doing it so I didn't have to rely on anyone else. I had done martial arts and many other things, but this was the first time I started training at a gym where people did martial arts for a living. That's when I realized that maybe I could do it too. There were no other girls doing it at the time other than Gina Carano, so the opportunities were very limited, but I had enough to believe that I could create that opportunity.
Speaking of limited opportunities, how was your family's support when you told them you wanted to become a martial artist?
They weren't very supportive at first. My mom was kind of used to me competing in martial arts competitions. My grandfather was a wrestler in Lithuania, so it wasn't an entirely new concept, but as in Lithuanian culture, women weren't supposed to fight. When I first started, I think my first and biggest opponent was my grandmother, but it took a long time for people to understand that women can fight too. It's gotten a lot more normal these days, but it still gets a little weird sometimes.
Who inspires you in mixed martial arts and why?
Lots of inspiration. The most recent person in my career, who I admired and still respect, is Valentina Shevchenko. Her career as a woman in this sport is incredible. I think she's one of the fighters I respect the most. I guess she's also someone like Georges St-Pierre. There are a lot of people I admire and their accomplishments, but Valentina, as a female mixed martial artist, she did it in spades. Amanda Nunes too. But having known Valentina personally, training with her and watching her do well, she holds a special place in my heart as a fan.
Can you tell us about your upcoming fights, how you are preparing and how you see them going?
Yeah, I'm very ready for this fight. I think it's going in a lot of different directions, but ultimately I think it's just me performing really well. Punch her in the face, take her back and choke her. That's how I envision this going.
What is your favorite and most memorable match of your career so far?
I think it would be a very close match between either Joanna or Weili Zhang when I won the title.
Finally, what is the secret to being a fighter? What does it take mentally and physically to be a UFC fighter?
That's a very good question. I think a lot of it has to do with the belief within yourself that you understand it. You have to know why you're doing it and what you're doing. What do you want to achieve with it? You have to be very clear and honest with yourself. You also need a support system. A good team and people to support you. Also, your personal life should be well managed as it can affect your career. And as much as you want to have some kind of plan in place to be able to change right away, you can successfully make that transition across careers. You could probably write a book about it. Having a handbook will help you advance in your career. I'm fortunate that Pat, my husband, and many others before me have had similar careers, and I've been able to learn from their careers.
Watch UFC Fight Night: Rivas vs. Namajunas on March 24, 2024 on Sony Sports Network.
