Rose Namajunas Opens up on Tragic Loss of Grandfather

Rose Namajunas has been caught up with the challenge that is 2020. Like most people, she had to deal with the COVID-19 restrictions, even fighting on the UFC 251 card headlined by Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Jessica Andrade was not her only major challenge of the year, but she had to deal with the tragic passing away of her grandfather.

‘Thug Rose’ has overcome many obstacles in her life, even winning the UFC strawweight title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Her win against Andrade saw her avenge her loss against the woman that dethroned her. Rose is one of the baddest women on the planet and continues to prove so every time she steps into the octagon.

Read: Dana White Declares ‘Rose Namajunas Does Not Want to Fight For Title’

Rose Namajunas on the passing away of her grandfather

The former UFC strawweight champion spoke to her fans on her in a recent YouTube Live session. Asked by a fan how she had dealt with the loss, Namajunas told her viewers, “As far as addressing my grandfather, I was a little sad at first. It took me a while to register what was going on or register that it finally has happened. I mean he’s been in a nursing home for like a long time and he’s a fighter.”

Namajunas grandparents moved to the United States, and she recalled how it helps her appreciate what she has more. ‘Thug Rose’ continued, “He was a multiple-time champion of Lithuanian wrestling and back in the day when things were really tough and really crazy. So it always puts things into perspective for me, even though 2020 has its own challenges. Let’s not forget all of our ancestors and all the things that they had to go through in order for us to be here right now.”

She explained, “So I’m just like super, super blessed and I definitely have a more peace of mind right now so maybe I wasn’t you know. Maybe I went through a little sad period or whatever, but I’m doing great now.”

Looking to fight Weili Zhang for the title

Following Rose Namajunas’s win over Jessica Andrade, she seemed the obvious choice to challenge champion Weili Zhang. UFC president Dana White had recently stated that Namajunas did not want to fight for a championship yet, however, Rose would go on to rebuke that claim in the YouTube Live session.

‘Thug Rose’ is currently 9-4 in her career. She was on a three-fight win streak before her loss to Andrade. Now having beat the Brazilian, Namajunas is definitely looking to fight Weili Zhang for the title immediately.

Read: Rose Namajunas Rubbishes Dana White’s Recent Claims That She Does Not Want to Fight