Rose Namajunas

Here’s a detailed profile of Rose Namajunas — her life, career, philosophy, and memorable quotes:

Rose Namajunas – Life, Career & Philosophy

Introduction

Rose Gertrude Namajunas (born June 29, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist (MMA) and former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.

Her journey in combat sports is also interwoven with her Lithuanian heritage, personal struggles, and a philosophy that embraces vulnerability, self-control, and resilience.

Early Life & Background

• Namajunas was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to immigrant parents from Lithuania.

• Her name “Rose” (Lithuanian: Rožė) honors her great-grandmother.

• Her grandfather was a wrestler in Lithuania, adding a familial legacy of athleticism.

• Her father suffered from schizophrenia and was largely absent; he passed away when she was a teenager.

• From a young age, she trained in martial arts. According to Portuguese Wikipedia, she started taekwondo in Milwaukee at age ~5, later added karate, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, etc.

These early experiences shaped her inner world — the sense of struggle, identity, and discipline would later color both her fighting style and her voice.

MMA Career & Achievements

Entry & Rise

• Namajunas made her amateur MMA debut in 2010, compiling a 4–0 record.

• She turned professional in 2013, fighting in Invicta FC before joining UFC.

• In 2014, she was a competitor in The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned, which introduced the women’s strawweight division in UFC.

Championship & Notable Wins

• In 2017, she upset Joanna Jędrzejczyk by knockout in Round 1 to claim her first UFC Women’s Strawweight title.

• She defended the title in a rematch with Jędrzejczyk in 2018.

• In 2021, she regained the strawweight crown by knocking out Zhang Weili early in Round 1 — becoming the first woman in UFC history to reclaim a title after losing it.

• Her title defenses, performances, and comeback record place her among the most respected female fighters in MMA.

Recent Moves & Challenges

• She later moved up in weight to flyweight (125 lb) and has competed there, though with mixed results.

• Her fights often reflect not only physical matchups but internal struggles — control, composure, mindset — themes she publicly addresses.

Personality, Philosophy & Challenges

Rose Namajunas is distinct among fighters for how openly she discusses mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

• She emphasizes that fighting is deeply emotional, and a key part of her energy comes from managing and channeling emotions.

• She often frames her journey in terms of self-control and self-growth:

  “All I can control is myself … keep having a positive attitude.”

• She sees her body, mind, and soul as the domain she can truly command while much in life lies outside.

• Her commentary on her Lithuanian ancestry, her family’s hardships, and the legacy of communism has surfaced in interviews, especially around fights with Zhang Weili — where she framed her fight as a symbolic struggle of freedom vs. oppression.

• She has also spoken about the importance of civility in combat sports: urging fighters to be kind outside the cage and reserving aggression for inside it.

• Rose is also creative: she says she “doesn’t just destroy with her hands; I also create — I cook, make art, garden.”

She often positions her athletic career as an expression of internal work — overcoming fears, trauma, and self-doubt.

Famous Quotes by Rose Namajunas

Here are some of the more striking and often-shared quotes attributed to her:

• “Of course, fighting is one of the most emotional things that you can possibly do. You have to constantly deal with your emotions … that’s where I get my energy from.”

• “I used to fight with hate. … That’s because I was hurt myself.”

• “All I can control is myself and just keep having a positive attitude.”

• “I’m like a tree. My leaves might change color, but my roots are the same.”

• “I thrive on chaos and difficult situations. I guess that’s who I am.”

• “There’s a process to everything. If you fast track or make shortcuts … you get out of balance.”

• “My hands look like my dad’s and my mom’s put together … I also create … I cook, make art and garden.”

• “What’s the point of being the best in the world … if you push everybody down instead of lifting them up?”

These quotes reflect her emphasis on self-awareness, emotional truth, resilience, and lifting others.

Lessons & Reflections

From Rose Namajunas’s life and words, we can draw several lessons:

• Power of internal discipline. While skills and strength are essential, controlling one’s emotions and mindset can turn the tides in high pressure moments.

• Vulnerability as strength. Her willingness to admit struggles, trauma, and doubt gives her a deeper human connection rather than a mask of invincibility.

• Resurgence and reinvention. Her comeback to reclaim a title shows that setbacks don’t have to define the final story.

• Identity matters. She draws strength from her heritage and turns personal history into motivation, not burden.

• Elevate others. She challenges the idea of being the “best” if that comes at the cost of others’ dignity.

Conclusion

Rose Namajunas is more than a champion fighter; she’s a compelling figure whose story bridges athletic excellence and emotional honesty. Her battles inside the cage often mirror inner confrontations—fear, legacy, identity. Through resilience, reflection, and creative expression, she continues to inspire not only fans of MMA but anyone trying to fight their own battles, visible or invisible.