Rose Namajunas Apologizes for UFC 274 Performance: ‘Sorry to Everyone I F---ed Up’

Rose Namajunas experienced a wide array of emotions following her loss to Carla Esparza at UFC 274.

Initially there was defiance. “Thug” Rose appeared shocked when it was announced that Esparza was the new strawweight champion following a split-decision triumph in what was a forgettable bout, and that was reflected in some of her comments at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.

“I struck to the strategy. I felt as if I landed more shots. I even took her down. None of her takedowns were significant or with any control time,” Namajunas said. “I’d say she hit me with one good punch. … I felt like I did the damage. I controlled the fight. I’m proud of myself because I stuck to my strategy.

“I know that in all of Carla’s fights she just baits people in, and she tries to get people to attack her. I’ve been in slugfests before. I’ve gotten my nose broken. I’ve stood there and shed blood in the octagon. I stuck to the strategy, and she didn’t really have any offense. She was whiffing at air the whole time. So, I thought I won.”

Namajunas and Esparza combined to land just 67 significant strikes in the bout, and both were below 30 percent in striking accuracy. Esparza made more effort to initiate wrestling, but landed just two of 11 takedowns overall. Still, in the immediate aftermath, Namajunas believed her offense was more substantial.

“I knew I was scoring. I knew I was touching her,” Namajunas said. “There were times that I was missing, but I don’t know. I felt like I was scoring.”

Over time, however, some of that defiance seemed to fade into regret. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Namajunas apologized for the performance that ended her second reign as 115-pound champ.

“Sorry to everyone, I f---ed up,” she wrote. “Definitely feel like a s---y human, but this will make me a better [fighter]. Hats off to Carla and thanks to everyone who’s been there for me.”

Namajunas is now 0-2 against Esparza, as she fell to “Cookie Monster” via third-round submission in the UFC’s inaugural strawweight championship bout at “The Ultimate Fighter 20” finale in December 2014. While the rematch was too close to call, there isn’t much demand for a trilogy, which UFC president Dana White acknowledged.

“I don’t think anyone is clamoring for that rematch,” White said. “We’ll have to figure something else out. Rose is one of the best. She’s always gonna be there. We’ll see what happens.”

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