Rose Namajunas has done it again. Or should we just yell, “THUG ROSE” as Daniel Cormier would do? Namajunas knocked out Weili Zhang in the first round of the fight. She landed a picture-perfect left high kick and Zhang went flat to the ground. While ‘Magnum’ tried protesting the finish, it was clear that she was out on her feet after the kick. Zhang was the favorite heading into the fight and was coming off a 13-month layoff. However, Namajunas was too sharp with the kick to be fazed by the challenge of beating the woman in front of her. She became the first two-time UFC Strawweight Champion with that win. As a result of her win, she also became the only fighter to have beaten three former Women’s Champions in the UFC Strawweight division. It is hard to figure out where Rose will go from here. Many expected Zhang to win and go for a super-fight against Valentina Shevchenko, who won her fight prior to Zhang vs Namajunas. But now, the UFC may rematch Namajunas with Weili or there may be a new contender to emerge on the scene. ROSE NAMAJUNAS: WHO SHOULD SHE FIGHT NEXT? The options ahead for Rose Namajunas [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/rose-namajunas/] are quite good. While it is unlikely that she rematches Joanna Jedrzejczyk [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/joanna-jedrzejczyk/] after having two wins over her, it is always an intriguing fight for her to have. Namajunas pulled off consecutive upset wins, and many would wager that Joanna could pull it off if given another shot. But there should be other options as well. Rose Namajunas [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/gettyimages-1313908870-612x612-1.jpg]JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – APRIL 22: Rose Namajunas poses for media during the UFC 261 press conference at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 22, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) The winner of Carla Esparza [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Carla-Esparza-63410] vs Yan Xiaonan is a possible choice for Namajunas after this. It is a 4 vs 5 rankings matchup and could create intrigue atop the division, and an impressive win for either could warrant a title shot. READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About Rose Namajunas and Her Charitable Contributions [https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-everything-you-need-to-know-about-rose-namajunas-and-her-charitable-contributions/] However, the most likely route does look to be a rematch with Weili Zhang [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/zhang-weili/]. The shot was perfectly placed, but people can argue that it was a lucky shot. The best way to hammer home a rivalry is by winning twice. Hence, Namajunas vs Zhang II may be the best next-fight option, but the options ahead for ‘Thug’ Rose are plentiful. 

'Thug' Rose Namajunas knocked out 'Magnum' Weili Zhang via a stunning high-kick
at UFC 261 to become UFC Strawweight Champion.

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Rose Namajunas is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. She was born on June 29, 1992. Namajunas started her MMA career in the Invicta Fighting Championships and won her first two fights by submissions. As of 2023, she sits at #8 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings and is a former UFC women's strawweight champion.
<h2>Rose Namajunas: UFC Career</h2>
Rose made her UFC debut against Carla Esparza and lost the bout (the fight for the inaugural UFC strawweight title) and championship belt via submission. However, she immediately bounced back and claimed three consecutive victories against Angela Hill, Paige VanZant, and Tecia Torres.

After defeating Michelle Waterson, Namajunas earned a title shot against then-champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Back then, Joanna was undefeated and, as expected, Rose was the underdog in the fight.

Rose shocked the world when she stopped Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the first round at UFC 217 and was crowned as the UFC's third strawweight champion. Although Namajunas was considered better on the ground, she defeated Jedrzejczyk by outclassing her on the feet. And to prove that it wasn't a fluke, Namajunas beat Jedrzejczyk once again in a rematch.

With only one title defense, 'Thug' lost her title to Jessica Andrade via a brutal body slam KO in the second round at UFC 237. However, she bounced back and won the rematch against Andrade at UFC 251.

Namajunas' win against Andrade earned her another title shot. She clashed against then-champion Zhang Weili at UFC 261. Rose became a two-time UFC women's strawweight champion by claiming a highlight-reel head kick KO in the first round.

She ramped up another title defense in a rematch against Zhang Weili on November 06, 2021, at UFC 268. But 'Thug's' last UFC bout ended in another defeat against her noted former rival Carla Esparza. 'Cookie Monster' earned a unanimous decision at UFC 274 to hand Namajunas the fourth loss of her UFC career. She holds a record of 9-4 in the UFC.

She went to the flyweight division for a battle with Manon Fiorot and ended up on the losing side of the bout at UFC on ESPN+ 84. Now, she has just secured her first victory at flyweight against Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89 via a unanimous decision.
<h2>Rose Namajunas: Fighting Style</h2>
Rose is a striker and her footwork is one of the best in the UFC. Besides that, she has perfected her jab. She is also a black belt in Taekwondo and Karate and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Thus, she is also an elite grappler.
<h2>Rose Namajunas: Achievements</h2>
Namajunas holds a stellar record of 13-6-0 in her MMA career. 'Thug Rose' has earned three 'Fight of the Night' and three 'Performance of the Night' bonuses. Namajunas also claimed the 2017 Fighter of the Year award. This was the year where she tasted UFC gold as a 25-year-old.

She has also achieved wins over a number of experienced veterans. Namajunas has a black belt in Taekwondo and Karate. Apart from that, she is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
<h2>Rose Namajunas: Net Worth and Salary 2023</h2>
As of 2023, Namajunas has an estimated UFC career earnings of $1.78M, according to The Sports Daily. Her biggest paycheck ($572,000) came from her sophomore bout against Carla 'Cookie Monster' Esparza in 2022. Reports say that it also included the highest salary of her UFC career, which stands at $500,000.

The former UFC fighter turned kickboxer, Pat Barry, mentioned her first meeting with Namajunas as a fight. But it was 'Thug's' fearless attitude of punching him in the face that got him attracted to her. After Barry transitioned to Glory kickboxing in 2013 the two got engaged in the year 2014.

But the couple soon got into trouble with Barry's substance abuse which also took a toll on Namajunas' performance. But he has come clean currently, and as per Namajunas, has become a lot more supportive than he used to be.
<h2>Rose Namajunas: Endorsements 2023</h2>
The former UFC champ inked an agreement with Reebok in 2019. Reports also suggest that she has endorsement deals with major brands like Puma and Adidas. As per 'The Sportslite', Rose Namajunas' total earnings from these sponsorships are reported to be around $500,000.

How to Contact Rose Namajunas?

<a href="https://twitter.com/rosenamajunas">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rosenamajunas/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThugRose">Facebook</a>

&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nickname</td>
<td>Thug</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BornÂ </td>
<td>June 29, 1992</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Country</td>
<td>USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gym</td>
<td>Roufusport</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>5ft 5 in</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight/Division</td>
<td>125 lbs/ Strawweight</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Reach</td>
<td>65 inches</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Leg Reach</td>
<td>39.50 inches</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Record</td>
<td>12-5-0, 0 NcC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 3 Fights</td>
<td>L-W-W</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wins by Stoppage (Submissions &amp; KO/TKO)</td>
<td>7(2 KO/TKOs &amp; 5 Submissions)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Estimated Net WorthÂ </td>
<td>$1.78M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Endorsements</td>
<td>Reebok, Puma, Adidas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marital Status</td>
<td>Engaged</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Partner</td>
<td>Pat Barry</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Rose Namajunas

Rose Namajunas is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. She was born on June 29, 1992. Namajunas started her MMA career in the Invicta Fighting Championships and won her first two fights by submissions. As of 2023, she sits at #8 in the UFC women&#8217;s pound-for-pound rankings and is a former UFC women&#8217;s strawweight champion. Rose Namajunas: UFC Career Rose made her UFC debut against Carla Esparza and lost the bout (the fight for the inaugural UFC strawweight title) and championship belt via submission. However, she immediately bounced back and claimed three consecutive victories against Angela Hill, Paige VanZant, and Tecia Torres. After defeating Michelle Waterson, Namajunas earned a title shot against then-champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Back then, Joanna was undefeated and, as expected, Rose was the underdog in the fight. Rose shocked the world when she stopped Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the first round at UFC 217 and was crowned as the UFC&#8217;s third strawweight champion. Although Namajunas was considered better on the ground, she defeated Jedrzejczyk by outclassing her on the feet. And to prove that it wasn&#8217;t a fluke, Namajunas beat Jedrzejczyk once again in a rematch. With only one title defense, &#8216;Thug&#8217; lost her title to Jessica Andrade via a brutal body slam KO in the second round at UFC 237. However, she bounced back and won the rematch against Andrade at UFC 251. Namajunas&#8217; win against Andrade earned her another title shot. She clashed against then-champion Zhang Weili at UFC 261. Rose became a two-time UFC women&#8217;s strawweight champion by claiming a highlight-reel head kick KO in the first round. She ramped up another title defense in a rematch against Zhang Weili on November 06, 2021, at UFC 268. But &#8216;Thug&#8217;s&#8217; last UFC bout ended in another defeat against her noted former rival Carla Esparza. &#8216;Cookie Monster&#8217; earned a unanimous decision at UFC 274 to hand Namajunas the fourth loss of her UFC career. She holds a record of 9-4 in the UFC. She went to the flyweight division for a battle with Manon Fiorot and ended up on the losing side of the bout at UFC on ESPN+ 84. Now, she has just secured her first victory at flyweight against Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89 via a unanimous decision. Rose Namajunas: Fighting Style Rose is a striker and her footwork is one of the best in the UFC. Besides that, she has perfected her jab. She is also a black belt in Taekwondo and Karate and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Thus, she is also an elite grappler. Rose Namajunas: Achievements Namajunas holds a stellar record of 13-6-0 in her MMA career. &#8216;Thug Rose&#8217; has earned three &#8216;Fight of the Night&#8217; and three &#8216;Performance of the Night&#8217; bonuses. Namajunas also claimed the 2017 Fighter of the Year award. This was the year where she tasted UFC gold as a 25-year-old. She has also achieved wins over a number of experienced veterans. Namajunas has a black belt in Taekwondo and Karate. Apart from that, she is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rose Namajunas: Net Worth and Salary 2023 As of 2023, Namajunas has an estimated UFC career earnings of $1.78M, according to The Sports Daily. Her biggest paycheck ($572,000) came from her sophomore bout against Carla &#8216;Cookie Monster&#8217; Esparza in 2022. Reports say that it also included the highest salary of her UFC career, which stands at $500,000. The former UFC fighter turned kickboxer, Pat Barry, mentioned her first meeting with Namajunas as a fight. But it was &#8216;Thug&#8217;s&#8217; fearless attitude of punching him in the face that got him attracted to her. After Barry transitioned to Glory kickboxing in 2013 the two got engaged in the year 2014. But the couple soon got into trouble with Barry&#8217;s substance abuse which also took a toll on Namajunas&#8217; performance. But he has come clean currently, and as per Namajunas, has become a lot more supportive than he used to be. Rose Namajunas: Endorsements 2023 The former UFC champ inked an agreement with Reebok in 2019. Reports also suggest that she has endorsement deals with major brands like Puma and Adidas. As per &#8216;The Sportslite&#8217;, Rose Namajunas&#8217; total earnings from these sponsorships are reported to be around $500,000. How to Contact Rose Namajunas? Twitter, Instagram, Facebook &nbsp;  Nickname Thug  Age 31  BornÂ  June 29, 1992  Country USA  Gym Roufusport  Height 5ft 5 in  Weight/Division 125 lbs/ Strawweight  Reach 65 inches  Leg Reach 39.50 inches  Record 12-5-0, 0 NcC  Last 3 Fights L-W-W  Wins by Stoppage (Submissions &amp; KO/TKO) 7(2 KO/TKOs &amp; 5 Submissions)  Estimated Net WorthÂ  $1.78M  Endorsements Reebok, Puma, Adidas  Marital Status Engaged  Partner Pat Barry

VIDEO: Rose Namajunas Shocks Weili Zhang With Stunning Head Kick Knockout at UFC 261

Rose Namajunas: Who should she fight next?