I am UFC strawweight Rose Namajunas. AMA!

So far, who has hit you the hardest?

Melvin Guillard

If you didn't get involved in MMA what would you be doing with your life?

Growing stuff probably

Legal stuff?

I live in denver everything is legal!

What is the best date you have ever had with Pat "HD" Barry?

Qudoba!

Who do you think will JJ or Penne? Surely it's the champ all the way right?

JJ I think but Penne's jiujistu is very dangerous

What do you think the main reason was for your loss to Carla Esparza, if you fought her again what would you do differently now that you have hands on experience with how she fights?

Lots of things no structure, wasn't ready, bad game plan, panicked because of lack of experience, and very burnt out and emotionally exhausted etc.

What's the hardest thing about being a UFC fighter?

Being away from home

Hey, Rose.

This past the year PEDs have become a hot topic in MMA. Usually it's mostly focused on the men's side, but how big of a role do you think PEDs play in the women's side? Any thoughts on how the UFC's new anti-doping policy will affect this when it starts in September?

Thanks for stopping by and doing this AMA. You're welcome over at /r/MMA anytime. Also, I love the silly stuff you and Pat get up to. Say hi to Pat for us and tell him to stop by /r/MMA, too!

I dont know how it would affect women any different but I like the new policy a lot

Thoughts on the Reebok deal and how it affects female fighters?

There are pros and cons and female fighters haven't had the opportunity to fight in the ufc as long as males so by default we will get paid less on average than men but the pros are more for the greater good

What would be your best piece of advice to a young aspiring fighter?

Also good luck with whoever you end up fighting next! Big fan of both you and Pat!

Be smart, give yourself value, dont be desperate, be patient, and have a back up plan, partying is lame

Thug Rose!

Who was your biggest influence to get into MMA? And who ya got, Aldo or MacGregor?

Mcgregor

Whats your favorite striking combination?

Jab Jab Jab

What's the weirdest thing Pat's done when he thought no one was looking?

Fed the goat

Besides yourself, who do you think has the best chance of dethroning Joanna?

Claudia I'm not familiar with many of the other talent coming up but there's always some new stud coming up

In your opinion, what's the most important "traditional" martial art to have a strong background in in order to become a successful MMA fighter? For example, boxing, muay thai, wrestling etc.

I have a love for all martial arts its not one above all but I am becoming very fond of boxing as of lately

How do you think fighters can reduce the frequency that they sustain injuries? Do most fighters train in a smart way?

Just lost the Bobby Green/Al Iaquinta fight!

MAke more money so you dont have to take fights out of desperation

How's it like living with Pat Barry? What's the best prank you guys have pulled on each other? Also what would be your gameplan to dethrone Jedrzejczyk?

its great mostly sometimes he drives me nuts though! Changing my style to work against anyone not just JJ

it´s the first time you are in germany?what´s your impression about the country? and are you at the pre party tomorrow?

ive been at the airport here many times but first time visiting, its cool I haven't seen much yet its very european as expected not sure about the party

What was the biggest challenge of living in the TUF house? Was living there exactly like you had imagined, or different to how you assumed it would be?

being away from home not being able to talk to loved ones. It was way more fun and less of a headache than I thought

How long before the first person gets caught when the new drug testing begins?

I dont think it will be long

How can the fighters improve their situation as a whole group in terms of better pay, image rights, etc? Will it have to be forming a union/association to be able to collectively bargain? I admire all combat sports athletes immensely, can never be paid enough to punch and get punched for our entertaintainment.

Declare your value but be valuable! (don't be desperate and accept crumbs if you think you deserve more) but yes a union would be great i think

Do you expect to be rebooked with Ansaroff or do you think you'll be receiving a new opponent?

Thanks Rose!

dont know yet

What do you believe the UFC or the fans need to do to increase the interest in women's fights? I think more fans have come around to it, but in my experience, the more casual fans tend to look down on women's mma.

Be patient womens fighting has only begun

How do you think the fight between Claudia Gadelha and newly signed Jessica Aguilar will go?

Might be boring but Claudia i think will win

After a quick browse, all of these questions are directly related to your MMA career or MMA in general...rightfully so. What I want to know is, what do you enjoy doing BESIDES MMA and training? Long walks on the beach and poetry? Watching horror movies? Skydiving? Video games? Baking? What does "Thug Rose" enjoy doing outside of the ring?

hikes, hanging with my dogs! reading as of lately, listening to music

What do you think of the new suspensions for PED use? Mike Richman of Bellator was caught using steroids under the new policy and was suspended 2-years which in my mind is almost a career ender at that point.

I think its great! Mike Richman was a former teammate of mine and friend it sucks for him and hope he can come back from that but i dont condone steroid use if you're gonna be competing esp in fighting.

Did you expect the Esparza/Jedrzejczyk fight to go down like it did and how would you feel about fighting Esparza again?

carla didnt look mentally 100 % to me

How did you and Pat meet?

At dukes in milwaukee

Who wins in a fight - you or Pat?

50/50 for pat ;-)

Hey, Rose! It was a bummer that your last fight wasn't able to happen. Do you have a timetable for your return and have an idea for who you'll be fighting?

Also, how disappointed are you that Sam Alvey is fighting Derek Brunson instead of having his Hair Match with Elias Theodorou?

I am hoping for Sept or Oct and no idea about any of them and what they are doing

What are your thoughts on the "stardom" Ronda Rousey has achieved? Do you think it has helped the sport and do you think more will follow in her footsteps? Is that something you personally would like to achieve?

Edit: and thanks for doing this!

she works it! shes a great role model i think

First of all, I apologise but I only know you from The Ultimate Fighter and have more questions related to MMA progression in general, rather than questions that are focused on you. If you wish to answer, go ahead, if not, I apologize for being an annoying brat, haha.

So, the questions:

Tell us your background in the whole fighting scene, what type of fighting style did you start with, what did you move onto? Just give us a timeline of the sports you have done, if you don't mind of course.

How to know if my gym in whatever fighting style is good and the coaches know what they are talking about?

My background in fighting scene is Boxing, from 15 to my current age and I'm still going, and I went to two Kickboxing sessions last week and I think I will start doing that too. What else would you say I need to reach as far in MMA as I possibly can?

Again, sorry if you're not in the mood to answer these type of questions, so move on to others if you don't have the time or effort.

its hard to explain in just a few sentences but its experience that you learn these things there is alot of nonsense out there coming from people who have never competed and things like this. That should be your first clue if they never competed

When you first started fighting did you think there was a chance the ufc would make this new weight class?

not in the beginning but when invicta came around

What were Carla and Felice really like in TUF? As bad as they seemed on TV?

What have you changed in your training since your loss?

What's the hardest thing about being a pro MMA fighter? The best thing?

Carla was always cool Felice and I had our moments but I have a soft spot for her shes fun and good company at least better than most I could put up for for 6 weeks really alot of that stuff was highlighted rather than the fun moments

What is your favorite TV series of all time?

haven't watched tv in years with tuf 20 being an exception

Other than a mouthguard what protective gear would u recommend?

goggles lol

Why do people continue to think Roufusport is a legit camp?

cause it works for some people just not for me

What is your favorite submission technique?

(Please be flying armbar)

i go through phases i was in a kimora phase now im going through a umoplata and guillotine ish phase

Cats or dogs?

dogs but cats are badass too

What 5 things would you like to experience if you were the opposite gender for a day?

sex, using the bathroom, anything physical so i can compare with strong manly muscles, cant think of anything else interesting

Thanks for coming out, Rose! I've been a fan since Invicta, you and Tecia put on an awesome show that I was lucky enough to be watching live.

Are there any other camps/fighters that you'd be interested in training at/with, and if so then what do you think they could add to your game and vice-versa?

not in particular at the moment i love where im at now

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate!

Rose,

How do you see yourself matching up with Joannna? Would you feel like your unorthodox grappling game would nullify her power strikes?

Edit: Thanks for doing this! Please spread the word to other mma fighters about /r/mma.

my everything would nullify her everything

If you were allowed to take a non-deadly weapon into the cage with you, what would it be?

what are some of my options?

Dude how often do you hit the gym???

Dude like 24/7 broooooo

Can I buy you a margarita at Conejito's?

actually have not been much of a drinker lately but ill take some of whatever Conejitos makes thats tasty!!!

What's it like to do an AMA where you don't actually answer any questions?

sorry got mixex up with time zones!!!!!!