The underdog who became the first woman to reclaim a UFC title
In short: Born in Milwaukee to Lithuanian parents, Rose Namajunas rose from a tough neighborhood to the pinnacle of mixed martial arts. Known as 'Thug Rose,' her career is defined by technical striking, sudden knockouts, and a historic second reign as the UFC Women's Strawweight Champion.
Rose Gertrude Namajunas's journey is marked by resilience and technical precision. Growing up in a challenging Milwaukee neighborhood, she earned the nickname 'Thug Rose' for her toughness despite being the smallest among her friends. Her athletic foundation began early; she started taekwondo at age five, earning a junior black belt by nine, before expanding her repertoire to karate, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Her professional ascent was rapid. After a perfect 4–0 amateur record, she debuted professionally in 2013, securing a submission victory. She gained significant momentum through the UFC's inaugural strawweight tournament, eventually becoming a two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. A defining moment occurred on November 4, 2017, at UFC 217, where she pulled off a massive upset by knocking out the undefeated Joanna Jędrzejczyk to claim the title.
Namajunas achieved a historic milestone on April 24, 2021, when she defeated Zhang Weili via a first-round head kick knockout. This victory made her the first female fighter to successfully regain a UFC Championship belt. While her career has seen fluctuations in rankings—sitting at #7 in the flyweight division and #12 in the pound-for-pound rankings as of late 2026—her legacy is cemented by her ability to adapt her striking and grappling under immense pressure.
Beyond the cage, Namajunas has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness, a cause she highlighted following her championship win. Her fighting style remains characterized by advanced footwork and creative striking, often utilizing jabs and high kicks to control the distance before closing in for submissions.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rose Namajunas
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