PARIS – Rose Namajunas’s most recent showing in the octagon was one that left fans talking, and not in a good way.

Back at UFC 274 in May 2022, Namajunas (11-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) attempted to defend her strawweight title against Carla Esparza. However, despite entering as a favorite, she wasn’t able to get her hand raised and was forced to hand over the belt. But what was more surprising than the result, was the performance itself, as little happened in the bout.

That left many fans and pundits criticizing Namajunas, and she thinks they’re well in their right to do so.

“That was definitely one of the most boring fights ever,” Namajunas said at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 226 media day. “But you know, I guess being the fighter it feels a little different when somebody is (harsh), because it’s not just a sport for me, it’s an art. So when somebody critiques your art, you get a little emotional about it. Also, it is fair what they had to say because nothing really happened.

“I was just kind of in my feelings about it because there’s always this unspoken thing that the challenger needs to take it in order to get it, but whatever. It’s my fault.”

Namajunas returns to the octagon this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 226. She takes on Manon Fiorot (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in her debut at 125 pounds, a division Namajunas now calls home.

Namajunas admits the criticism surrounding her loss to Esparza did hurt her, but it was warranted.

“It did at first, but I kind of deserved it,” Namajunas said. “I was a little bitter, but yeah, I just had to kind of get out of my feelings and realize that I might have things and challenges that I might deal with that’s nobody else’s business. They’re just here to be inspired to be entertained or to learn something, and that’s my job as a martial artist, to do my job. I did my job, but like I definitely could’ve done a better job. So yeah, it was a process.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 226.