This past Saturday at UFC Edmonton, we witnessed Rose Namajunas in action, and it was hard to ignore just how far she has fallen in her career in less than three years. Now, I know many of you might think that I’m referring to Rose and Pat Barry’s relationship, which, let’s be honest, is strange and raises some questions. When they met, she was 14 and he was 27. That’s an odd age gap, to say the least. But for the sake of this discussion, let’s focus on the real issue: how Rose’s career has plummeted since she stopped working with Trevor Whitman in May 2022, and how Pat Barry has taken over as her main coach.

The Success of the Trevor Whitman Era

Let’s rewind for a moment. Trevor Whitman has been a huge part of Rose’s rise to the top. He started coaching her before she even competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 20, and he was by her side in her very first UFC fight against Carla Esparza. Over the years, they went on to win 8 of their 10 fights, including two strawweight title defenses. Trevor Whitman was a critical part of Rose’s success, helping her refine her striking and mental toughness. Whitman’s influence made her one of the most dominant champions in the UFC.

Throughout Rose’s career, I’ve often been skeptical. I didn’t think she would win against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in their first fight, and I even doubted her in their rematch. But after watching her win both times, and especially after her Zhang Weili victory, I realized that Rose had something special—something that had been honed under the guidance of Trevor Whitman.

The Turning Point: Parting Ways with Whitman

After her loss to Zhang Weili in their second fight, things started to change. Rose made the decision to part ways with Trevor Whitman. Instead of continuing to work with a coach who had helped her achieve so much, she chose to go in a new direction. This decision was made clear during her rematch against Carla Esparza at UFC 274, where Pat Barry took the lead in her corner, pushing Whitman aside. Despite rumors, there is no concrete evidence that Trevor was involved in her camp for this fight, but it was clear that Pat Barry had assumed control.

Rose herself claimed that the decision to have Whitman sit out was due to him needing to focus on Justin Gaethje’s upcoming rematch with Dustin Poirier. However, this explanation doesn’t hold water. Whitman had already shown he could coach multiple fighters simultaneously, as evidenced by UFC 268, when he cornered Usman, Gaethje, and Rose—all of whom won their respective fights. So why wasn’t he in Rose’s corner for UFC 274? It seems more likely that Rose and Pat simply wanted to go their own way, and this was the beginning of the post-Whitman era.

The Decline: Pat Barry’s Impact on Rose’s Career

Since Pat Barry took over as Rose’s main coach, her performances have been lackluster, to say the least. She won two decisions against Amanda Heus and Tracy Cortez, but neither fight was particularly impressive. If anything, they highlighted the noticeable decline in Rose’s skills. The Rose of old would have easily dispatched these opponents, but instead, she appeared hesitant, lacking the confidence and fluidity she once had.

The most glaring example of this decline came in her recent loss to Aaron Blanchfield. Blanchfield, while talented, is still a relatively one-dimensional fighter, and there’s no reason why Rose should have lost to her. Despite some good moments in the fight, it was clear that Rose had lost a step. Her volume, combinations, and overall confidence in the cage have diminished since she started working full-time with Pat Barry. Her striking, which was once sharp and crisp, is now a shadow of what it used to be.

Why Pat Barry Is the Problem

Let’s take a look at Pat Barry’s coaching credentials. Before taking over Rose’s training, Pat had zero track record of success as a coach. In contrast, Trevor Whitman has coached multiple champions, including Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje, and Cory Sandhagen. His impact on Rose’s career was undeniable. Whitman not only helped her become a champion but also played a critical role in Usman and Gaethje’s success. Pat Barry, on the other hand, has trained no one of note. Yet, somehow, Rose decided to leave one of the best coaches in the business to work with her husband, who has no proven track record as a coach.

I understand that Rose and Pat are married, and I’m sure their personal connection is important to her. But as much as it might seem ideal to train with someone you’re close to, it’s evident that Pat has not been able to help her maintain the level of performance that made her a champion. Rose has lost her edge since switching to Pat, and it’s clear that her skill set is regressing, not improving.

The Bigger Picture: Rose at 32

At 32, Rose Namajunas should be in the prime of her career. Look at other fighters in their early 30s—Amanda Nunes, who is dominating two divisions, or Valentina Shevchenko, who continues to reign supreme in the flyweight division. Cris Cyborg is still a force to be reckoned with. Yet, Rose is faltering. She should be hitting her peak, but instead, she’s taking noticeable steps backward. If she were still under the guidance of Trevor Whitman, perhaps we’d be seeing a different version of Rose today—one that is still the dominant force she once was.

Conclusion: A Career at Risk

It’s hard to watch Rose’s career decline in real time, especially when we know how talented she is and what she could have accomplished under the right coaching. It’s clear to me that Pat Barry has not been the right coach for her. Their personal relationship may make it seem like a good idea, but it’s doing more harm than good to her legacy. Rose is now 32, and if she doesn’t make a serious change, I fear that her best days may be behind her.