TUF Talk Rose Namajunas: Every mistake is just an investment in my future
Rose Namajunas wasn't worried about having the easiest path to make it to The Ultimate Fighter finale because she was ready for any challenge the show presented her.
Case in point was Namajunas taking on the No. 2 ranked fighter in the entire tournament in her second fight as she faced Joanne Calderwood in the quarterfinal round this past Wednesday. On paper, Namajunas was an underdog.
In her performance, Namajunas was anything but intimidated facing one of the most dangerous strikers in the women's division.
She faced down Calderwood on the feet with no fear and then took the fight to her world on the ground where Namajunas secured a second round submission finish. As much as she respected the Scottish fighter's striking acumen, there wasn't going to be any backing down once the bout started.
"There's a great quote that Pat (Barry) always says -- you can either stand there and get your ass kicked or you can fight back and get your ass kicked. I chose the latter," Namajunas told TUF Talk. "For me, I feel like I used my footwork, I set up my punches and I also saw her last fight with Emily and I felt like I could use some things from there and expose some holes she had. It ended up on the ground and that's where I exposed her the most."
Despite a nearly flawless performance in the Octagon, Namajunas can still find fault in some of the choices she made, but there's no regret. She only looks at it as a way to make sure she never does it again.
"I face my fears head on," Namajunas said. "Every mistake I make on the show is just an investment in my future so I know not to make that mistake again."
Hear from Namajunas as she describes her fight with Calderwood, dealing with being the only fighter left from Team Melendez and her next bout coming up against Randa Markos. Listen to TUF Talk here via Soundcloud:
