How did you get involved in MMA and how long have you been training?
-I’ve always been involved with sports ever since I could remember. Being an athlete runs in the family, my grandfather was a Lithuanian champion wrestler and my aunt was a pro basketball player etc. I started martial arts (Karate/Taekwondo) when I was four and started wrestling, kickboxing, and bjj in high school. One thing led to another and now here I am 3-0 in mma.
Where are you currently training, and what's a typical training week like for you?
-I train at Greg Nelson's gym the Academy in Minneapolis, MN. Fighter training is live wrestling, bjj and sparring Monday through Saturday in the mornings. I also drill technique in the evenings Monday through Wednesday as well as strength and conditioning.
Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you're fighting and where?
-I will be fighting an amateur bout at 115 lbs against Jen Aniano on June 30th in Lac du Flambeau, WI at King of the Cage.
What is your best experience as a fighter? What is your worst?
-My best experiences with fighting have to be all the things I've learned about myself and discovering things I never thought I could do. My worst experiences as a fighter are when you wake up on a certain day and you give up mentally. The nerves before a fight are almost as bad of a feeling.
What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in MMA?
-Just get in the gym and start training. Get as much experience as you can and knowledge of the sport. There's no rush. Regardless of what people say women's MMA isn't going anywhere. It's here to stay.
What are some of the hurdles that you think Women in MMA need to overcome before Women's MMA will be considered a top level sport like Men's MMA is today?
-Women need to dedicate everything to it. If you're a professional female fighter and not taking it serious, you're not helping you're just hurting us who do take it seriously. Depth is important but the quality of the female fighters is even more important.
When do you think we will see women divisions in the UFC?
-It used to seem that women in the UFC were light years away from ever happening but we are seeing drastic improvements in the divisions so you never know. Hopefully I may still be young enough and active in the sport long enough to see the day!
What or who are your inspirations in MMA and life?
-All my coaches, teammates, family, and friends inspire me every day. I think a lot about my mom and my grandmother’s who raised me when I was little. I really look up to them and they mean the world to me.
Who are your favorite MMA fighters?
-Clay Guida.
How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting?
-I love to go outside! Anything that deals with nature and animals I'm into. I also played jazz and classical piano as long as I've been doing martial arts. I also was on the basketball, cross country, and track team in high school. I enjoy drawing, singing, reading, watching movies, just not taking naps. I don't like taking naps!
Of course we have a few questions for the male readership as well.
Are you single?
-NOPE!
What do you look for in a guy?
-Just be good to your woman that's number one. Be a man. All other things are a plus. But definitely being athletic, smart, funny and sweet helps!
What are your turn-ons?
-Showing decency and humanity. Show respect and compassion for one another.
What are your turnoffs?
-Cheating and lying about who you really are.
What would you say is your best feature?
-Keepin it real.
Any future plans or dreams?
-To be the best female mixed martial artist the world has seen! After fighting, if the opportunity presents itself I would really enjoy the entertainment business. I used to model when I was younger but acting was always something I wanted to try.
Any shout outs you would like to make?
-PAT HD BARRY IS THE BESTEST!!!! Greg Nelson is awesome! Kaitlin Young and all the other strong dudes at the academy that throw me around at practice! And my mom for being there for me since forever! Oh and my brother for recently graduating college!
Good luck on fight night and thank you for your time Rose! For more on Rose check out this highlight video and send your shout out’s to her on Twitter @rosenamajunas.
