MMA: Rose Namajunas set to face Amanda Ribas

NEW DELHI: Rose Namajunas, a prominent figure in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), has captivated audiences with her exceptional skills and remarkable journey in the sport.


Known for her dynamic fighting style and unwavering determination, Namajunas has carved out a distinguished career in the UFC's strawweight division.

Rising through the ranks, she claimed the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship not once, but twice, showcasing her resilience and tenacity inside the Octagon.

Beyond her achievements in the cage, Namajunas has also become an inspiring figure outside of it, 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 memorable 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 key figure in the ever-evolving landscape of women's MMA. As she continues to pursue excellence in her craft, Namajunas undoubtedly remains a formidable presence in the UFC and a role model for aspiring fighters everywhere.

How has the MMA journey been for you so far?
It's been a beautiful journey, definitely had lots of ups and downs. It's been like traversing huge mountains, peaks and valleys, beautiful moments, very tough moments, but all around, just a fun ride for sure.

What was the story behind you choosing MMA as a career and was it always a first love for you?
I was always doing martial arts and then when I grew up, I spent my entire childhood trying to figure out a way to make a living from Martial Arts and try to make sure that I don't have to depend on anybody else. I did martial arts, among many other things, and it wasn't until I started training at gyms where people were doing it for a living. That's when I realized that I could probably do this too. There weren't any other girls doing it other than Gina Carano at the time, so there were very limited opportunities, but it was enough for me to believe that I could create those opportunities.

Speak of limited opportunities, how was the support from your family when you told them you wanted to become a fighter?
They didn't really support it at first. My mom was a little bit more used to me competing in martial arts competitions. My grandfather was a wrestler in Lithuania, so it wasn't a brand-new concept, but like in Lithuanian Culture, women were not supposed to be fighting. When I first started out, I think the first and the biggest proponents against me doing it was my grandmothers but, it took a long time for people to understand that women can fight. It's a lot more normal these days, but it's still is a little weird sometimes.

Who is your inspiration in mixed martial arts and why?
There's a lot of inspiration. The most recent in my career is somebody that I looked up to and still do is Valentina Shevchenko. Her career as a female in this sport is incredible. I think she's one of the fighters that I look up to the most. And then, I would say someone like Georges St-Pierre. There are so many people that I admire and their accomplishments but Valentina, as a female mixed martial artist, she did it amazingly. Also, Amanda Nunez too, you know. But knowing Valentina personally and then training with her, seeing what she did, she has a special place in my heart as a fan.

Can you tell us something about your upcoming fight and how have you prepared and how do you see it going?
Yeah, I'm very prepared for this fight. I see it going a bunch of different ways, but ultimately, I just see myself putting on a really good performance. Punch her in the face, take her back, and choke her out. That's how I envision this to go.

What's your favourite and memorable fight so far that you have had in your career?
I would say either of the times that I gained the title versus either Joanna or Weili Zhang, those are kind of like very close tie.

Lastly, what's the secret behind being a fighter and what does it take mentally and physically to be a UFC fighter?
Very good question, I think a lot of it has to do with that belief inside of yourself that you have got it. You must know why you're doing it and what you're doing. What do you want to accomplish with it? You must be very clear and honest with yourself. You also need to have a support system. A good team and people that support you. You also have to manage your personal life very well, because that can have effects on your career. And then successfully make that transition past your career like you want to be able to have some sort of plan and then be ready to change on a short notice. I could probably write a book on it; it would help me go into my career if I could have a playbook. Luckily, I had Pat, my husband who had along career and many other people before me that I was able to learn stuff from their career.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs. Namajunas on 24th March 2024 on Sony Sports Network.