‘You Don’t Really Think Anybody Is On Your Level’- Rose Namajunas Makes a Shocking Admission About Carla Esparza Before UFC 274

Posted on by Matt James

UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas made a surprising admission on the most recent iteration of UFC Countdown in the lead-up to UFC 274. ‘Thug’ Rose will rematch Carla Esparza in the co-main event of the card and look to stretch her title defense streak.

The card is headlined by a UFC lightweight title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and former interim champion Justin Gaethje.

Both women faced off all the way back at the finale of ‘The Ultimate Fighter 20’ where Esparza did enough to secure the victory via third-round RNC submission. The end came at 1:26 and made ‘The Cookie Monster’ the inaugural women’s strawweight champion in the world.


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Rose Namajunas keeps it real ahead of UFC 274

Being forthcoming about her life and career is very much a part of Rose Namajunas’ overall character. Keeping in line with that, she revealed that she majorly overlooked Esparza when both women faced each back in December 2014. Ultimately, this led her to lose out on becoming the first-ever UFC strawweight champion.

Rose Namajunas revealed that being compared to women’s GOAT Ronda Rousey was the factor that led her to overlook Esparza. Rousey’s stature in the sport was at an all-time high and it’s understandable to see why ‘Thug’ Rose thought she couldn’t be touched.

“I didn’t really care about Carla. I didn’t think she was on my level. Being called the next Ronda Rousey, you don’t really think anybody is on your level. You know?” [h/t bjpenn.com]

However, despite her status as the undisputed champion, Rose Namajunas won’t be making the same mistake again. Carla Esparza is on a five-fight win streak and she has more than earned her way back to rematch Rose Namajunas. Given her recent performances, Esparza will favor herself to be a dominant force on the ground once more, and possibly etch out a victory.

With Namajunas keeping a firm eye on her former opponent, she will certainly be wary of everything she brings to the table. This clash is certainly set to be one for the ages.