American · St. Paul, USA · Born 29 September 1992American mixed martial artist and former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion, known for her striking skills and upset victories over Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Rose Namajunas is a Lithuanian-American strawweight who twice defeated Zhang Weili for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship, delivering two of the women's division's most celebrated upsets. Known as 'Thug Rose' for her technical striking, beautiful jiu-jitsu, and unorthodox style, Namajunas is one of women's MMA's most technically gifted champions. Her openness about mental health challenges has made her a role model beyond the sport.
She shocked the MMA world by knocking out dominant champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk in the first round at UFC 217 to win her first strawweight title.
How They Played
Namajunas is known for her well-rounded fighting style that combines technical striking with solid grappling fundamentals. She possesses excellent footwork, timing, and knockout power in her hands, particularly her left hook. Her background in traditional martial arts gives her a diverse striking arsenal with kicks and knees, while her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills make her dangerous on the ground.
Lasting Impact
Rose Namajunas helped elevate the women's strawweight division with her technical skills and exciting fighting style, proving that smaller fighters could deliver spectacular knockouts.
Career Honours
- UFC Strawweight Champion (first reign, 2017–2019)
- UFC Strawweight Champion (second reign, 2021–2022)
- The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finalist
- UFC Fight of the Night bonus (multiple awards)
- UFC Performance of the Night bonus (multiple awards)
- World MMA Awards Fighter of the Year nominee
- Knockout of the Year candidate for KO of Weili Zhang (2021)
American Athletes