Rose Namajunas, widely known as ‘Thug Rose,’ watched UFC 322’s co-main event closely, where Valentina Shevchenko defeated Zhang Weili in a one-sided flyweight contest at Madison Square Garden. The fight marked Weili’s first attempt at the flyweight division after vacating her strawweight title, but she could not overcome Shevchenko’s precision and control.
Namajunas, a former two-time strawweight champion and current flyweight contender ranked No. 6, has a personal connection to Weili, having beaten the Chinese star twice at 115 pounds. That history gave Namajunas a particular interest in the fight and its outcome.
Tribute To A Champion
After seeing Shevchenko claim victory, Namajunas shared her admiration on Instagram, emphasizing the champion’s focus, humility, and dedication to martial arts.
“I’m still so happy for @bulletvalentina victory! She is still my favorite fighter!” Namajunas wrote.
“She never makes it about herself. The first thing she did was dedicate the belt to her coach. She doesn’t glory in herself or care to be idolized, she just loves martial arts to the fullest! Training with her years ago taught me so much and gave me extra confidence to become a champion! She inspires me to always work hard and be better than I ever imagined myself and be grateful for every moment!”
Namajunas had predicted that Shevchenko would dominate the matchup, noting the champion’s superior all-around skill set. The fight unfolded as expected, with Shevchenko asserting her technique and control over Weili from start to finish.
Namajunas emphasized that Shevchenko’s technical mastery and composure in the Octagon are a model for aspiring fighters. Observing the fight reinforced Namajunas’ respect for elite-level competition and the dedication required to reach the top.
