UFC 261: Rose Namajunas head kick KOs Zhang Weili to reclaim strawweight title, and declares ‘I’m the best’
- American ‘Thug’ finishes fight in first round, but Chinese star complains of early stoppage
- ‘I didn’t see her move and I wasn’t sure if she could come back from that,’ says Namajunas
Never again underestimate “Thug” Rose Namajunas. The American challenger came into UFC 261 saying her movement would be too much for Chinese champion Zhang “Magnum” Weili – and it was.
A huge left high kick to the head did the damage and Zhang hit the mat. There was just 1.18 gone in the first round and – once again – Namajunas had proved the doubters wrong.
“I’m the best,” she started shouting. And who can doubt that.
The 28-year-old (10-4) was responsible for the biggest upset in the women’s side of the sport when she knocked out Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2017 to win the title. She lost the title – to Brazilian Jessica Andrade in 2019 but now she’s back. Zhang (21-2) looked upset – confused more like – and the belt was handed over.
“I did it again,” said Namajunas, when handed the microphone by Joe Rogan in the cage afterwards. “I am the best.”
They loved that in Florida, where the crowd had booed Zhang and chanted “Rose” all in the matter of the just over a minute the fight lasted.