Rose Namajunas Nickname: Meaning Behind UFC Star’s Moniker

Things are starting to look good once again for former two-time strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas. After dropping the title to Carla Esparza in 2021, her career seemed to be in a predicament as she succumbed to two straight losses after moving to the 125-pound division. However, Namajunas found her footing in 2024 after she recently defeated Amanda Ribas and then Tracy Cortez, both via unanimous decisions.

As the Milwaukee-born former champion continues to rise to the top, she makes the fighting community wonder about her nickname. After all, ‘Thug Rose’ has become quite popular in the MMA realm, as Namajunas got herself 13 wins. But what’s the meaning and story behind her moniker? Let’s find out!

Why is Rose Namajunas called ‘Thug Rose’?

Nicknames are very important for MMA fighters as they play a big role in people identifying with the fighters. These names often reflect the personality or their fighting style. For Rose Namajunas, this nickname, ‘Thug’ or ‘Thug Rose’, is something that reflects her personality very well. While talking about the same, she once said, “My ice-cold stare, like staring down Joanna, I developed that long ago. I was never a witty person.”

“I never had like a good comeback for anything, so I just had to beat people’s a** that was making fun of me. Or I had to scare them off. So that’s like where it came from,” Rose Namajunas added. ‘Thug Rose’ talked about how it was her neighbor who gave her the nickname, “I had some Jamaican neighbors, her name was Erica Gibbs, and she used to always be like, that’s Thug Rose right there, that’s Thug Rose.”

Nicknames are very important, as not only do they help people connect with the fighter, but they are also an essential tool used in the fighter’s promotion. Clearly, Namajunas’ nickname struck a chord with the fans and it became popular all over the world.

Despite the kind of fame she achieved with her title run in the flyweight category, ‘Thug Rose’s hunger didn’t satiate. Let’s find out about the time when she revealed her desire to become a double champion.

Rose Namajunas wants a second title run

Before Rose Namajunas’s advent into the UFC, she never dreamt about becoming a two-weight world champion in the promotion. Instead, she captured the same title twice. But as she prepares for her next fight, she believes that one more win could very well put her in a position to become the third female fighter to win two divisional titles in Dana White‘s promotion.

“I’d say I’m right in that title contention talks [with a win]. God willing, I’m healthy, I’m in shape and I’m ready to go with a win and whatever opportunities they want to give me. I could see myself fighting for the belt really soon,” Rose Namajunas told in a conversation with MMA Junkie. Can she become a double champion? We will have to wait and see how things pan out for the former tw0-time 115-pound champion.

Now, Namajunas is all set to land against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton. Needless to say, ‘Thug Rose’ would strive to extend her 2-fight win streak. Judging from her 12-2 MMA record, the New Yorker will definitely give Namajunas a tough competition. But the outcome of the bout is something that only time can tell.

What are your thoughts on Namajunas’ nickname? Do you think ‘Thug Rose’ can rise victorious in her upcoming bout? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.