5 Facts About Rose Namajunas Husband: Who is The Lucky Man?

“Thug” Rose Namajunas is an MMA fighter currently competing in the women’s Strawweight division of the UFC. Former lightweight champion Namajunas returned to UFC after taking a one-year hiatus. Besides her brutal fights, people want to know who Rose Namajunas is dating currently.

Today, we take a closer look at soon-to-be Rose Namajunas husband, Pat Barry, a former UFC heavyweight fighter. While Namajunas is climbing through the MMA charts, Barry retired from MMA in 2013.

As Rose Namajunas’ coach, Barry has received heavy criticism for dating his training partner. Despite their big age difference, the couple has been maintaining a solid relationship. So, don’t miss out on reading more intimate details. Likewise, know how Barry helped his fiancee’s career by being her longtime coach.

5. Engaged to be Married: Wedding Bells Soon?

Rose Namajunas is currently engaged to Pat Barry, who is also her coach and training partner. The couple, who shared a common passion for MMA, first met at Duke Roufus‘ gym, Roufusport. Barry started training at Roufusport after losing his home to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Meanwhile, Namajunas began training during high school.

In an interview with USAToday, Barry recalled that he knew Rose was a special fighter when she threw the first punch during a practice session. Being training partners at Roufusport, the couple were together a lot longer than they were aware of. It took Barry a while to chip away Rose’s heart, but he did eventually.

Rose Namajunas Husband. Image Credit: Instagram.

As per Barry, he began dating Rose Namajunas in 2010 when she was just 18 years old. Meanwhile, Barry, who is 13 years her senior, was  31 years old at the time. So, at the time of their engagement in 2014, Namajunas’ age was 22, while Barry was 35. Throughout the years, the couple’s relationship has raised many eyebrows, but it doesn’t affect them.

The engaged couple prefers to stay silent about their marriage details. But we might be able to see Pat become Rose Namajunas husband soon. The fighter couple is in no hurry to tie the knot, but fans also can’t wait anymore.

4. Set Aside His MMA Career: Longtime Training Partner and Coach

Pat Barry is a former UFC heavyweight fighter himself who has trained professionally in Kickboxing. Also, he was a practitioner of Sanda (a form of Chinese Kickboxing). From 2008 until 2013, he was with UFC. Similarly, Barry also serves as the coach and training partner of his fiancee.

It has been a decade since Rose Namajunas has been engaged to Pat Barry, but the latter once revealed that they spent countless hours training together. After recognizing her talent, Barry asked Namajunas if she wanted to pursue an MMA career lifelong. Seeing her passion, he set his career aside and began helping his partner.

After his career ended with UFC, Barry returned to kickboxing. Since their relationship started, Barry has acted as Rose Namajunas’ secretary, taking her calls, planning her schedule, and ensuring she has everything to win a fight.

 

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In an interview with MMA Fighting, Rose expressed her gratitude towards her fiance, who marked an end to his fighting career in 2013. She thanked him for helping her pursue an MMA career. Further, Rose said that the emotions involved in their relationship acted as a catalyst and motivation. Just when his glory days came to an end, his partner’s was beginning to rise.

ALSO READ: Cat Zingano Biography: From Wrestling Mat to MMA Stardom

3. Heavily Criticized for His Relationship: Partner in Defense During Controversy

Rose Namajunas’s relationship with her long-time coach, Pat Barry, has raised a lot of eyebrows in the MMA community. So, let us break down their history from dating to getting engaged. Rose, who was born on June 29, 1992, started practicing taekwondo at 5. She was reportedly 14-15 years old when she joined Roufusport Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Namajunas began dating her coach, with whom she shared a 13-year age difference. However, Pat Barry claimed that the two began a relationship when Rose stepped up into the adult category. In an interview with The MMA Hour, Barry explained the situation about their relationship.

Talking to Ariel Helwani after Rose’s loss at UFC 274, Barry addressed the claims about their age difference. He mentioned that the misconception about his relationship with the UFC fighter appeared from an interview Rose did years ago.

In that interview, Rose said she joined her fiance Barry’s gym when she was 14 years old. However, the interviewers published the story saying Rose was 14 years old when she met Pat Barry. So, people took that news in a different way and accused Barry, who is 13 years the senior, of grooming Namajunas from an early period.

Despite getting criticisms from the media and public, Rose Namajunas has always been defensive about her boyfriend/fiance. She requests people not to make speculations about their relationship. Also, the couple prefers not to focus on negative comments.

Similarly, you might want to read about 5 Must-Know Things About Cris Cyborg‘s Ex-Husband.

2. Rose Namajunas Husband Stands Proud Amidst the Cruel Remarks and Backlash

How old was Rose Namajunas when she met Pat Barry? This one question has never left internet users making assumptions about the former UFC fighter’s character. Their relationship has garnered attention and controversy within the MMA community due to the significant age difference between them.

Barry addressed the controversy by attributing it to a news article that he claims inaccurately reported the age at which he met Rose Namajunas. Rose Namajunas, for her part, has not spoken extensively about the controversy, and it’s essential to respect her privacy in this matter.

On one occasion, UFC roster Sean Strickland‘s remarks on Rose and Pat’s relationship crossed the boundary. Sean’s training partner, Chris Curtis, revealed that he confronted Pat and Rose about their controversial relationship on the UFC 268 bus.

Rose Namajunas Husband. Image Credit: Instagram.

Meanwhile, Barry mentioned that Strickland’s remarks affected his partner’s fights against Carla Esparza in a rematch for the UFC Women’s Strawweight championship on May 7, 2022.

Recently, in September 2023, Barry was in Namajunas’ corner for her recent flyweight tilt against Manon Fiorot. While top MMA coach Trevor Wittman was absent from Namajunas’ corner, it was assumed that it was Barry’s call. Fans were also furious after Rose lost the fight via unanimous decision.

1. Years 2002-2007: Karate, Kickboxing, and Hurricane Katrina

Pat Barry, who stands at 5′ 11″, is a retired MMA fighter and kickboxer who became known for his low kicks while competing as a heavyweight in the UFC. Born on July 7, 1979, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Patrick Joseph Barry began his MMA career in 2008. When he was six, his father served in the military and later died of cancer.

Previously, Barry trained professionally in Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) and kickboxing at the age of 21. Growing up watching action films and kickboxing tournaments, Pat won his debut kickboxing tournament on November 2, 2002, at the U.S. Open International Martial Arts Championships in Las Vegas.

Rose Namajunas Husband. Image Credit: Instagram.

From 2002-2008, Pat visited China numerous times, competing over 50 bouts and training at Shaolin Temple. On April 30, 2005, Barry made his debut at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 against Scott Lighty in Las Vegas. For the first time in his career, he lost the kickboxing bout by split decision.

For Barry, the year 2005 was tragic in terms of personal loss as well. In late August 2005, the devastating Atlantic hurricane Katrina claimed his home and the life of his grandmother. Barry’s close friend and kickboxing master, Duke Roufus, took care of him and even provided his home for shelter.

Despite going through a series of troubles, negative remarks, and struggles, Rose Namajunas husband stands true to his passion, which is the beauty of fighting.