UFC fans turn on ‘Thug Rose’ Namajunas after Zhang Weili ‘red’ comments
- Lithuanian-American said ‘better dead than red’ as she stoked rivalry with Chinese champion ahead of UFC 261 title fight
- Commenters criticise US foreign policy and bring up Lithuania’s Nazi past as they pledge support for Zhang ahead of April 24 showdown
Fans of “Thug” Rose Namajunas say that they will be supporting rival Zhang Weili after the Lithuanian-American’s comments on communism ahead of their fight at UFC 261.
Namajunas has been criticised on socal media after her comments about upcoming opponent Zhang and, as a Chinese national, her links to communism.
The Lithuanian-American had said that she was “better dead than red” ahead of the title fight against Chinese champion Zhang at UFC 261 on April 24.
“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Weili is red, that’s what she represents,” the former strawweight champion told Lithuanian national public broadcaster LRT.
“It’s nothing personal against her, but that’s a huge motivating factor of why I fight. I fight for freedom ... I’ve got Lithuanian blood and the American dream.”
Those comments have fuelled a response online with people expressing their distaste on her Instagram posts with some calling her “brainless”.
