Rose Namajunas tells ‘uncalled for’ second with Maycee Barber’s father

There will probably be some private historical past at play when Rose Namajunas enters the cage with Maycee Barber for the UFC on ESPN 59 primary occasion.

Namajunas (12-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) will tackle Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in a five-round ladies’s flyweight bout on July 13 at Ball Area in Denver (ESPN, ESPN+). It’s a matchup that can have important stakes on the title image going ahead, and there’s a backstory between the 2 sides throughout their time coaching inside related circles in Colorado.

“I don’t know precisely how previous she was once we met – she was in all probability round 18 or one thing like that, possibly 17,” Namajunas informed MMA Junkie. “I do know we did some jiu-jitsu one time. I believe we grappled a bit. I keep in mind it was a situational factor – so far as I keep in mind. This was a extremely very long time in the past. There was a number of instances the place we have been imagined to spar and she or he was on the fitness center, however one thing had come up throughout that. I used to be able to go, however one thing along with her was occurring. … We didn’t practice extensively collectively a bunch. She was all the time simply form of within the space.”

Though Namajunas’ reminiscence of her particular coaching classes with Barber are admittedly fuzzy, there are different moments of their previous which might be rather more clear.

There was a time when Namajunas and Barber each fought at strawweight. Namajunas was on the high of the heap as a two-time divisional champion, whereas Barber was extraordinarily early within the recreation as one of many youngest fighter on the UFC roster. Weight points compelled Barber as much as 125 kilos the place she’s put collectively a six-fight profitable streak, and finally Namajunas made the transfer up as nicely to place a brand new coat of paint on her profession.

Barber, No. 9 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie ladies’s flyweight rankings, has seemingly all the time had a watch on a matchup with No. 13-ranked Namajunas, however it by no means fairly made sense till now.

“What I do keep in mind very vividly is her combating a few my coaching companions and her beating these coaching companions and actually simply making an attempt to throw that in my face as if she’s beating me or one thing, after which she would name me out or one thing and saying she’s knocking off my coaching companions and I’m subsequent,” Namajunas mentioned. “That’s what I keep in mind particularly. Ever since she received to the UFC, she didn’t actually say these issues as a lot. She was (speaking) extra pre-UFC. Then when she moved as much as flyweight, we have been clearly in numerous totally different divisions. It’s simply humorous as a result of earlier than, it was she was coming for me. However now I’m coming for her as a result of I’m shifting up and I’m coming for her rating. The tables have turned.”

Barber has by no means been quick on confidence in the case of her combating skill and talking out on her profession objectives. Namajunas takes zero umbrage with that method, however that’s not the case when it comes from different folks round her subsequent opponent.

Namajunas mentioned the one adverse emotions going into UFC on ESPN 59 usually are not towards Barber herself, however moderately her father and coach, Bucky Barber.

“I truthfully like that she is assured in herself,” Namajunas mentioned. “So long as it’s in a assured, true, real method, I really like when fighters are assured. I like after they consider in themselves. So long as she ain’t being disrespectful I’m cool with it. I don’t learn about like, her dad was form of disrespectful I form of felt like again within the day. However that was him. No matter. However her, I believe she ought to hold doing what she’s doing and I respect all the pieces that she’s performed. She’s actually developed into a formidable prospect that I’m trying ahead to going through.”

Namajunas mentioned the “disrespectful” second with Bucky got here after one in every of her fights, the place the coach inserted himself into a spot Namajunas felt he didn’t belong.

“He was simply yelling in my face saying that, ‘We’re coming for you,’” Namajunas recalled. “It’s like, ‘Hey, relax man.’ I don’t have a dad in my life so I’m going to must get another folks. As a result of if we’re going to gang up on me then I’ve received to get a gang up, too.

“(It was) after a battle. I’m positive feelings have been excessive however I personally was like, ‘That was uncalled for on his half.’ To me it’s like, if my nook begins attacking my opponent, then the opponent’s nook has the appropriate. We’re all combating now. To me that’s the etiquette. It must be simply between the fighter and the fighter. I do know that in the event you’re a dad or mum you may need a bit of extra emotion concerned, however you’ve received to manage your self. That’s not cool.”

Regardless of some bitter emotions in regards to the previous, Namajunas doesn’t intend to let something have an effect on how she performs on battle night time. The previous UFC champ is targeted on the duty at hand, and is aware of Barber shouldn’t be going to be a straightforward matchup.

Namajunas, 31, mentioned she’ll want to make use of all her weapons to finish the streak of Barber, 26, however has little doubt she’s succesful.

“She form of depends on her intimidation issue and issues like that,” Namajunas mentioned. “I’ve stood in entrance of essentially the most intimidating folks, so I’m totally outfitted and ready for her – not simply expertise, but additionally I’m coaching my butt off and I’m making an attempt to simply be prepared for something. I do know she needs to attempt to make it messy at instances, however she does look like she’s being a bit of extra technical through the years and cleansing up her hanging a bit of bit. However it’s my job to maintain it my model and hold it my recreation and ensure I do my factor.”

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