“It’s agitating, it gets under my skin. I know that there’s stuff that I could have done, but in the end I wouldn’t take it back for nothin’ because I felt like I was fighting for my life…but that’s the price that you pay if you don’t finish it, and I didn’t finish it. And after this fight I realized like, you only got you and that’s it, and…if you go to decision, it’s gonna be luck. You’re rolling the dice with the judges, and I’m not gonna let that happen again.”
So says a crestfallen Rose Namajunas, following her tough decision loss to Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6. Though her stellar performance wasn’t enough to convince the judges to give her the win, Namajunas vs. Torres was easily one of the greatest WMMA fights of 2013. Hell, we were just proud to be part of her sports bra.
The latest “All Angles” video from Invicta manages to recap a night’s worth of emotional content into four minutes of behind-the-scenes gold, including the tense moments before the fight, highlights from the battle itself, Rose’s bummed-out post-fight monologue, and finally some incredible footage of Torres breaking down in tears while talking to her mom on the phone afterwards.
“It’s agitating, it gets under my skin. I know that there’s stuff that I could have done, but in the end I wouldn’t take it back for nothin’ because I felt like I was fighting for my life…but that’s the price that you pay if you don’t finish it, and I didn’t finish it. And after this fight I realized like, you only got you and that’s it, and…if you go to decision, it’s gonna be luck. You’re rolling the dice with the judges, and I’m not gonna let that happen again.”
So says a crestfallen Rose Namajunas, following her tough decision loss to Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6. Though her stellar performance wasn’t enough to convince the judges to give her the win, Namajunas vs. Torres was easily one of the greatest WMMA fights of 2013. Hell, we were just proud to be part of her sports bra.
The latest “All Angles” video from Invicta manages to recap a night’s worth of emotional content into four minutes of behind-the-scenes gold, including the tense moments before the fight, highlights from the battle itself, Rose’s bummed-out post-fight monologue, and finally some incredible footage of Torres breaking down in tears while talking to her mom on the phone afterwards.
(Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen II. Video via FancyMojo420)
As was written so aptly this past weekend on these pages, the women folk on Saturday’s Invicta FC 6 card were some bad mofo’s. Most of the attention was given to the main event title fight (above) rematch between “Cris Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen but we’ve got much love for everyone else on the card as well, especially our very own “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
For the second time in her career, Coenen showed that she can last longer than most women against Santos, but once again, she took a bad beating and a loss at the hands of the “Cyborg.” Namajunas faced the tough Tecia Torres and lost a hard-fought decision that got the main card off to an explosive start.
Both bouts were entertaining and give enough argument on their own that women’s MMA deserves our collective attention. Check out the main event above and Namajunas vs. Torres after the jump and see what we mean.
(Cris Cyborg vs. Marloes Coenen II. Video via FancyMojo420)
As was written so aptly this past weekend on these pages, the women folk on Saturday’s Invicta FC 6 card were some bad mofo’s. Most of the attention was given to the main event title fight (above) rematch between “Cris Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen but we’ve got much love for everyone else on the card as well, especially our very own “Thug” Rose Namajunas.
For the second time in her career, Coenen showed that she can last longer than most women against Santos, but once again, she took a bad beating and a loss at the hands of the “Cyborg.” Namajunas faced the tough Tecia Torres and lost a hard-fought decision that got the main card off to an explosive start.
Both bouts were entertaining and give enough argument on their own that women’s MMA deserves our collective attention. Check out the main event above and Namajunas vs. Torres after the jump and see what we mean.
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
Since I’ve already effectively spoiled the main event for you, why not follow along as I talk out loud about how cool the show was and which ladies be scary.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
I love Leslie Smith, but there’s no way I’m not using this kickface. PhotoProps: Esther Lin / Invicta FC
Invicta continues to impress with good matchmaking and stellar action in its latest card, and for the first time, Invicta is available widely through pay per view, leaving behind any old issues with UStream. Apparently this is the first all-female MMA pay per view, so it’s a historic night, and the fights delivered, as usual.
CagePotato’s Professional Gangsta “Thug” Rose Namajunas was glorious in defeat last night, putting on a highly entertaining bout with Tecia Torres that was an early pick for Fight of the Night. Namajunas looked for a flying armbar, but I guess Torres had heard something about it.
Also, Thug Rose gives zero fucks about your stupid resets, Big John:
Seriously, Namajunas is awesome. I would have beaten her boyfriend in a dance-off and claimed her hand and probably given her my team jacket by now, but her boyfriend has tree trunks for legs and he smiles a lot. You don’t fuck with a guy like that.
Miriam Nakamoto is NASTY, son.
A former Muay Thai champ, Nakamoto leaves a wake of knee-shaped dents everywhere she goes, and now carries a 2-0 record (plus this one NC versus Jessamyn Duke on the last Invicta card, on account of one of her vicious knees being illegal). ”The Queen of Mean” is just one of the bright spots on the horizon at 135.
Also looking bright is the strawweight division.
Mizuki Inoue is a new prospect out of Japan. Her striking looked very crisp against fan favorite Bec Hyatt — at just eighteen years old, she looks like she’s been boxing since she was a zygote. Inoue took a decision win for the upset, and now stands at 6-1. Keep an eye on her.
Also at 115: Claudia Gadelha, JoJo Calderwood and the aforementioned Torres-Namajunas scrap all looked like talented athletes coming up in the sport. Gadelha will get a title shot against current strawweight champ Carla Esparza; Calderwood and Torres both move up in the pecking order. Namajunas gets to vlog for you assholes. So really, who wins?
That’s Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith up top getting footed in the face, in her first fight at 125. Her opponent Jennifer Maia is coming off an upset victory over Zoila Frausto, and the two will turn in a thrilling three-rounder.
You may have heard me say good things about Smith when she fought at 135, now ten pounds lighter at flyweight she’s a beast. As suspected, Smith’s decision victory was good enough to earn her the next crack at 125 pound champ Barb Honchak (although turn in another Fight of the Night performance — Smith’s third — probably doesn’t hurt).
Atomweight standout Jessica Penne got back on track with a first round sub of Nicdai Rivera-Calanoc, but there’s a bit of chatter about her shove after the tap. Check it out and you tell me.
Kind of a dick move, right?
Ediane Gomes did not fight, because like twenty fighters pulled out of this card and it was all kinds of crazy. Also no one wants to get worked by the scary Brazilian lady that doesn’t have a big name. At least if Cyborg knocks you out, people can be like “Well yeah, it was Cyborg, the fuck did you expect?”
Full results:
145 lb. title: Cris Cyborg Justino def. Marloes Coenen via TKO (punches and elbows) in round four
115 lbs.: Claudia Gadelha def. Ayaka Hamasaki via TKO at 3:58 of round three
135 lbs.: Lauren Taylor def. Sarah D’Alelio via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
125 lbs.: Leslie Smith def. Jennifer Maia via UD (30-27×2, 29-28), Fight of the Night
105 lbs.: Jessica Penne def. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:57 of round one, Sub of the Night
115 lbs.: Joanne Calderwood def. Norma Rueda Center via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
115 lbs.: Mizuki Inoue def. Bec Hyatt via UD (29-28 x3)
135 lbs.: Miriam Nakamoto def. Duda Yankovich via KO in round one, KO of the Night
115 lbs.: Tecia Torres def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28)
Prelims
115 lbs.: Emily Kagan def. Ashley Cummins via split decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
115 lbs.: Livia von Plettenberg def Kathina Catron via UD (30-27, 29-28×2)
Back in my amateur days, Kaitlin Young once told me I reminded her of a honey badger. We’ve all seen that fabulous video of the Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger and if you haven’t you need to!
I was very honored to be associated with such a creature being a nature/animal lover and especially coming from such a talented fighter like Kaitlin Young. I definitely saw what she was getting at. However, thinking back on it there are a lot more similarities between the honey badger and I than I was aware of at the time.
The honey badger at first glance doesn’t look like much and can be very easily underestimated. Its small stature being very misleading is something I relate to all too well. Even those who are somewhat aware still have no idea. They can’t! There isn’t enough imagination one can have that can fathom my capabilities. I don’t exactly look like Brock Lesnar or anything!
The honey badger is strong, tireless, and impenetrable. However, I don’t believe its strength or endurance comes from physical ability more than it comes from its “don’t give a ____” mentality. It is the honey badger state of mind that allows it to attack any animal regardless of size or whatever disadvantage it faces. To this day I have always been matched up with people who have either a size advantage or are more experienced. I rise to any challenge and conquer. While others are surprised, to me it is what I deal with daily in practice. I stand my ground and fight, breaking the limitations others have placed on me.
Back in my amateur days, Kaitlin Young once told me I reminded her of a honey badger. We’ve all seen that fabulous video of the Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger and if you haven’t you need to!
I was very honored to be associated with such a creature being a nature/animal lover and especially coming from such a talented fighter like Kaitlin Young. I definitely saw what she was getting at. However, thinking back on it there are a lot more similarities between the honey badger and I than I was aware of at the time.
The honey badger at first glance doesn’t look like much and can be very easily underestimated. Its small stature being very misleading is something I relate to all too well. Even those who are somewhat aware still have no idea. They can’t! There isn’t enough imagination one can have that can fathom my capabilities. I don’t exactly look like Brock Lesnar or anything!
The honey badger is strong, tireless, and impenetrable. However, I don’t believe its strength or endurance comes from physical ability more than it comes from its “don’t give a ____” mentality. It is the honey badger state of mind that allows it to attack any animal regardless of size or whatever disadvantage it faces. To this day I have always been matched up with people who have either a size advantage or are more experienced. I rise to any challenge and conquer. While others are surprised, to me it is what I deal with daily in practice. I stand my ground and fight, breaking the limitations others have placed on me.
Another quality of the honey badger that is less obvious but one of my favorites is its independence and uniqueness. The honey badger lives in solitude and stands out from everyone else because it does what it wants and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. If I could hear the conversations other animals had about the honey badger I imagine they’d be something along the lines of “What the hell is that crazy-ass badger thinking? It must be outta its mind!” I’m sure every fighter can relate to someone looking at them crazy when they find out what they do for a living. If only people really knew me, and my thoughts and experiences, I’d be put in therapy!
Being on the inside looking out, I don’t think I’m that strange. Maybe it’s because I’m naive but I believe it’s important to challenge the status quo. To not fit a particular stereotype. To not believe in limitations others have created. Even if you might be wrong, do it anyway! At least you will know for a fact you are wrong rather than because of what someone told you. Just be yourself, and let out the honey badger within you! That my friends is why the honey badger is the numba one thug of the animal kingdom!
Oh, we’re throwing spinning sh*t now? CagePotato sponsored strawweight “Thug” Rose Namajunas is returning to the cage against Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg (July 13th; Kansas City, MO), and we’ve got exclusive training footage of Rose training some fancy spin-kicks with Grudge Training Center head coach Trevor Wittman, and showing off her version of a fighter’s diet. Where *do* you put it all, Rose?
Oh, we’re throwing spinning sh*t now? CagePotato sponsored strawweight “Thug” Rose Namajunas is returning to the cage against Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg (July 13th; Kansas City, MO), and we’ve got exclusive training footage of Rose training some fancy spin-kicks with Grudge Training Center head coach Trevor Wittman, and showing off her version of a fighter’s diet. Where *do* you put it all, Rose?
