Rose Namajunas: Thug Rose — Fighter Profile, Career & Legacy
- Dana Black
- May 9
- 9 min read
Introduction
Rose "Thug" Namajunas is one of the most accomplished strawweight fighters in UFC women's MMA history and a two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. The Milwaukee-born Lithuanian-American striker rose to championship contention through The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 in 2014, dethroned Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 217 in 2017 to become the second-ever UFC strawweight champion, and reclaimed the title at UFC 261 in 2021 with a head-kick KO of Zhang Weili. She continues to compete at flyweight in 2026 as one of the most respected veterans of the women's MMA divisions.
Contents
Quick Stats
Nickname: Thug / Thug Rose
Age: 33 (born June 29, 1992)
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
Reach: 65" (165 cm)
Weight Class: Flyweight (125 lb), formerly Strawweight (115 lb)
Stance: Orthodox
Team: 303 Training Center, Denver, Colorado / ONX Sports under Trevor Wittman
Pro MMA Record: 14 wins, 8 losses (active in UFC women's flyweight)
Background
Born June 29, 1992 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lithuanian parents who had immigrated to the United States in September 1991. She was named Rose (Lithuanian: Rožė) in honor of her great-grandmother Rožė Gotšalkaitė Namajūnienė, whose husband Juozas was an Independent Lithuania military officer who fought in the resistance during the 1939 Soviet invasion of Lithuania. Her Lithuanian heritage and family military lineage have been a foundational part of her public identity throughout her career.
She started training under Greg Nelson at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy as an amateur in 2010, going 4-0 with two TKO and two decision wins. She turned professional in January 2013 and signed with the UFC in December 2013 for The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 — the season that crowned the inaugural UFC women's strawweight champion. She lost the TUF 20 final to Carla Esparza by third-round rear-naked choke but went on to win the UFC women's strawweight championship twice in her career. She trains at 303 Training Center in Denver and at ONX Sports under Trevor Wittman alongside Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman.
Fighting Style
Forward-pressure striking with elite footwork and creative kicking attacks. Namajunas is known for her advanced technical striking — using a variety of angles and creative adjustments to set up jabs, axe kicks, front kicks, and forward roundhouse kicks. The Joanna Jędrzejczyk UFC 217 first-round TKO (left-hook combination) and the Zhang Weili UFC 261 head-kick KO are the canonical examples of her championship-level striking arsenal. Her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission threats, particularly from full guard, complement the striking to produce one of the most well-rounded UFC women's strawweight profiles ever.
Her weakness has been periodic vulnerability to one-shot power strikes from elite punchers and a flyweight-era struggle with high-volume pressure fighters. The Jessica Andrade UFC 237 slam-KO loss in 2019, the Carla Esparza UFC 274 split-decision loss in 2022, and the recent flyweight stretch (3-3 since 2023) reflect the same pattern. Within her championship-era prime years, however, her striking pattern produced two title reigns at strawweight and remains a top-five UFC women's strawweight resume in promotion history.
Career Highlights
December 2014 — TUF 20 Finale vs Carla Esparza. Lost the inaugural UFC Women's Strawweight Championship via third-round rear-naked choke.
October 2015 — UFC 192 vs Angela Hill. Won by first-round rear-naked choke.
April 2017 — UFC 213 vs Michelle Waterson. Won by second-round rear-naked choke.
November 2017 — UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. Stopped Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 217 by first-round TKO at Madison Square Garden — ended Jędrzejczyk's two-year UFC reign.
April 2018 — UFC 223 vs Jędrzejczyk 2. First successful title defense via unanimous decision.
May 2019 — UFC 237 vs Jessica Andrade. Lost the title via second-round slam KO.
April 2021 — UFC Women's Strawweight Champion (second reign). Stopped Zhang Weili at UFC 261 with a head-kick KO at 1:18 of round one.
November 2021 — UFC 268 vs Zhang 2. Defended the title via split decision in Madison Square Garden.
May 2022 — UFC 274 vs Carla Esparza 2. Lost the title via split decision.
July 2024 — UFC Fight Night vs Tracy Cortez. Won by unanimous decision in her first UFC main event at flyweight.
January 2026 — UFC 324 vs Natalia Silva. Lost a unanimous decision in a flyweight title-eliminator.
Notable Fights & Rivalries
vs Joanna Jędrzejczyk (UFC 217 2017, UFC 223 2018)
Two fights, two Namajunas wins. The UFC 217 first-round TKO at Madison Square Garden in November 2017 ended Jędrzejczyk's two-year UFC reign and her record five strawweight title defenses — one of the most-replayed upsets in UFC women's MMA history. The rematch at UFC 223 in April 2018 was a more competitive five-round unanimous decision for Namajunas. The trilogy was completed by Jędrzejczyk's 2024 UFC Hall of Fame Modern Wing induction; both women are widely cited as the foundational figures of UFC women's strawweight.
vs Zhang Weili (UFC 261 2021, UFC 268 2021)
Two fights, two Namajunas wins. The UFC 261 head-kick KO in round one in April 2021 — Zhang's first career stoppage loss — was one of the most-replayed strawweight finishes of the 2020s. The rematch at UFC 268 in November 2021 was a five-round split-decision war that Namajunas won (49-46, 47-48, 48-47). The two fights together established Namajunas as a top-three UFC women's strawweight in promotion history.
vs Jessica Andrade (UFC 237 2019, UFC 251 2020)
Two fights, one for each. Andrade slammed Namajunas to the canvas in round two of UFC 237 to win the strawweight title in May 2019 — one of the most-replayed slam KOs in UFC women's MMA history. The rematch at UFC 251 in July 2020 was a Namajunas split-decision win that started her path back to the championship.
vs Carla Esparza (TUF 20 Finale 2014, UFC 274 2022)
Two fights, two Esparza wins. Esparza submitted Namajunas at the TUF 20 Finale in December 2014 to win the inaugural UFC Women's Strawweight Championship; the rematch at UFC 274 in May 2022 was a split-decision Esparza win that took the title from Namajunas. The series was the second of Namajunas's three career trilogies (with Jędrzejczyk and Zhang).
vs Erin Blanchfield (UFC Fight Night, 2024)
The fight that prompted Namajunas's late-2024 reset. Blanchfield won by five-round unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night in November 2024 — the result that confirmed Namajunas's flyweight contender window had narrowed. She bounced back with a Miranda Maverick win in June 2025 before the UFC 324 Silva loss.
Championships & Accolades
Two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion (2017-2019, 2021-2022).
Three combined UFC women's strawweight title defenses across both reigns (vs Jędrzejczyk 2 at UFC 223, vs Zhang Weili 2 at UFC 268).
Career UFC wins over Joanna Jędrzejczyk (twice), Zhang Weili (twice), Tecia Torres, Michelle Waterson, Paige VanZant, Amanda Ribas, Jessica Andrade, Tracy Cortez, and Miranda Maverick.
TUF 20 Finalist (2014).
ADCC 2023 Denver Open Bronze Medalist (women's absolute division).
Most career wins over former or future UFC women's strawweight champions (4 — Jędrzejczyk x2, Zhang x2).
Currently #6 in UFC women's flyweight rankings (March 2026).
Currently #14 in UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Current Status
Active in the UFC women's flyweight division. Namajunas's last fight was the unanimous decision loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026 — a flyweight title-eliminator that 13 of 18 media outlets scored for her. She underwent eye surgery shortly after the fight (the result of repeated eye pokes during the bout) but was cleared by her medical team to resume training in early 2026.
Her next opponent has not been formally announced as of May 2026. She is currently #6 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings and #14 pound-for-pound; potential next opponents include Erin Blanchfield (rematch), Manon Fiorot (rematch after 2023 loss), Maycee Barber, Tracy Cortez (rematch), or another ranked flyweight contender. She continues to train at 303 Training Center in Denver and at ONX Sports with Trevor Wittman alongside Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman.
Fun Facts
Her nickname "Thug" or "Thug Rose" was given to her in her early career and reflects her Milwaukee street-smart upbringing — she has often joked publicly that she is one of the least intimidating-looking 'Thugs' in MMA.
Lithuanian-American — her parents immigrated to the United States in September 1991 and named her Rose (Lithuanian: Rožė) in honor of her great-grandmother. Her great-grandfather Juozas was an Independent Lithuania military officer who fought in the resistance during the 1939 Soviet invasion.
Holds 1.55 million Instagram followers and remains one of the most-followed UFC women fighters globally.
Is a practicing Christian and has openly expressed anti-communist views — heritage influences from her Lithuanian family background.
Trains alongside Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman at ONX Sports under Trevor Wittman — the three are widely considered one of the most accomplished training trifectas in modern UFC history.
Won bronze at the 2023 ADCC Denver Open in the women's absolute division — one of the most accomplished UFC champion to compete in elite open BJJ competition during her active career.
Career UFC purses are reportedly the highest of any active UFC women's flyweight in disclosed earnings — over $2.2 million across her championship reigns.
Was the second pick by coach Gilbert Melendez on TUF Season 20 — and competed in the inaugural UFC women's strawweight championship final.
Legacy / Verdict
Rose Namajunas is one of the most accomplished UFC women's strawweight fighters in promotion history and one of the foundational figures of women's MMA from 2014 onward. The two-time championship resume — the Joanna Jędrzejczyk UFC 217 KO and the Zhang Weili UFC 261 head-kick KO — features two of the most-replayed finishes in UFC women's strawweight history. The career wins over Jędrzejczyk and Zhang (both twice each), the three combined title defenses, and the 13-year UFC career together make her a top-three UFC women's strawweight in promotion history.
What complicates the legacy is the late-career flyweight stretch — 3-3 since 2023 — that has so far stopped short of producing another title shot. The recent UFC 324 Silva loss closed her current path to a title fight; the Hall of Fame Modern Wing induction conversation, however, is widely projected as a near-certainty whenever she retires given the strawweight credentials. Her active competition continues into 2026 and beyond — the legacy is permanent and still being built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rose Namajunas still active?
Yes. She is currently active in the UFC women's flyweight division, where she is ranked #6 as of March 2026. Her last fight was a unanimous decision loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, after which she underwent eye surgery (caused by repeated eye pokes during the bout) but is now cleared to resume training.
What is Rose Namajunas's professional MMA record?
Fourteen wins and eight losses across her career. She competed in Invicta FC before her UFC signing in December 2013 and has competed in the UFC for over a decade across the strawweight and flyweight divisions.
Was Rose Namajunas UFC Strawweight Champion?
Yes — twice. Her first reign was from November 4, 2017 (won by KO over Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 217) to May 11, 2019 (lost via slam KO to Jessica Andrade at UFC 237). Her second reign was from April 24, 2021 (won by head-kick KO over Zhang Weili at UFC 261) to May 7, 2022 (lost by split decision to Carla Esparza at UFC 274).
What style does Rose Namajunas fight?
Forward-pressure striking with elite footwork and creative kicking attacks. Namajunas is known for her advanced technical striking — using a variety of angles and creative adjustments to set up jabs, axe kicks, front kicks, and forward roundhouse kicks. She also has championship-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won bronze in the absolute division at the 2023 ADCC Denver Open. The Joanna Jędrzejczyk UFC 217 first-round KO and the Zhang Weili UFC 261 head-kick KO are the canonical examples of her striking arsenal.
Did Rose Namajunas knock out Joanna Jędrzejczyk?
Yes — at UFC 217 on November 4, 2017 in Madison Square Garden. Namajunas stopped Jędrzejczyk via first-round TKO at 3:03 of round one — ending Jędrzejczyk's 2-year undefeated UFC reign (and her record five title defenses) in one of the most-replayed upsets in UFC women's strawweight history.
Where is Rose Namajunas from?
Born June 29, 1992 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lithuanian parents who had immigrated to the United States in September 1991. She was named Rose (Lithuanian: Rožė) in honor of her great-grandmother. She trains at 303 Training Center under coaches Tony Basile, Jason Goode, and Paul Gummerson, and at ONX Sports under Trevor Wittman alongside Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman.
How tall is Rose Namajunas?
Five feet five inches (165 cm), with a 65-inch (165 cm) reach. She competes at flyweight (125 lb) since her 2023 move up from strawweight (115 lb).
Is Rose Namajunas in the UFC Hall of Fame?
Not as of 2026. She is still actively competing and is widely projected to be a near-certain Modern Wing Hall of Fame inductee whenever she retires given her two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Championship resume and her 13-year UFC career.
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