SUMMARY
- Rose Namajunas has often been touted as a strawweight GOAT.
- However, one of her recent fights altered that opinion, leading fans to tur2n on her instead.
Rose Namajunas is often referred to as the ‘strawweight’ GOAT by many fight fans. Over the years, the fighter has built a name for herself, overcoming massive odds along the way. However, many feel that she has since fallen off the throne, owing to her last fight at the weight class.
For those unaware, ‘Thug Rose’ made her mark on the strawweight division, becoming a two-time champion in the division. During her run at 115 lbs, Rose bested the likes of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Zhang Weili, and Jessica Andrade. Thus, she has been one of the most highly touted WMMA fighters as well.
With that said Rose has often been followed by numerous controversies, including that of her partner and coach, Pat Barry. In addition to this, Namajunas seemingly tainted her legacy after making a less-than-memorable move up to flyweight. Although the jury is still out on her move-up, many have already written her off as just another champion.
Rose Namajunas’ fight against Carla Esparza ruined her legacy
Previously, Rose Namajunas faced Carla Esparza in a rematch of their Ultimate Series matchup from all the way back in 2014. Since then, both fighters have had very different trajectories in their careers. Whilst Carla faced and lost to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in her very first fight and title challenge, Rose had a much longer route. Now, facing Esparza again, she had the chance for redemption and make her case for being the strawweight GOAT.
Eventually, all roads led them to face each other again in what was one of the worst fights ever in UFC history. In what was touted to be a big and legacy-defining fight for both, Rose and Carla instead put the entire audience to sleep with their performance. In what would have been Rose’s second consecutive title defense and third overall, she landed a total of 37 out of 122 strikes in twenty-five minutes.
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Despite the fact that both fighters had a total of six career finishes between them, many expected them to at least have a proper go at it. Instead what followed was twenty-five minutes of posturing, feinting, and a fight that was essentially a staring contest. Although some felt that Namajunas was robbed, considering what had transpired, it was likely fair that she lost the fight and her title.
Who is the strawweight GOAT instead of Rose Namajunas?
Records and loss aside, there was no way that people were willing to have Rose Namajunas as their champion or a representative of Women’s MMA. Although she has had some career highlight performances, the bore fest against Carla Esparza, sent fans over the edge. As a result of the fan backlash and her own dwindling self-confidence, Rose decided to make the move up to flyweight after the fight.
With that, it now leaves the floor for the debate of who is really the strawweight GOAT. For the most part, there are only really two names in the conversation after Rose, being Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili. Although some may point out that Rose Namajunas has beaten both of them, both fighters are just as if not more accomplished than her. Whilst Rose is a two-time strawweight champ with two title defenses to her name, Weili has the same.
Additionally, Zhang is more likely to eclipse Rose Namajunas’ legacy with just one more defense. On the other hand, Joanna is hailed as the GOAT owing to the most successful strawweight title defenses (5), and the most consecutive wins at strawweight (8). Now a Hall of Famer as well, her legacy as the best ever in the division is seemingly sealed for the considerable future.
