According to a Feb. 22 report from MMA Junkie, UFC star Pat Barry is a huge fan of women's MMA, and not just because he's dating Invicta FC standout Rose Namajunas.
"The crowd a few years ago, and even still now, when they see two guys hit the ground, they don't know what they're looking at," Barry said. "They want to see drunk dudes in a bar punching and slapping each other. Now we see women fighting, and people are like, 'That's bizarre. You're not supposed to be doing that. Aren't you supposed to be like loving and puppy and have a baby? You're not supposed to be hitting each other – and especially with the fury that you're bringing with it. You're not supposed to do that.'
"That's why it's still new, and it's catching on and it's picking up. But as of right now, the majority of the world isn't giving women fights a chance – just yet. Because it's not natural for them. Really, it's not natural for (men), either. Fighting is just strange. Ten, 12 years into this, I ask myself on a regular basis, 'What the f--- are you coing this for? This is just dumb.' But (women's MMA) is coming. It's growing."
Barry's girlfriend, Rose Namajunas, is set to return to action on Apr. 5 at Invicta FC 5.
"I'm a complete wreck when it's me fighting, but I think my motherly instincts come out (when Namajunas fights)," Barry said. "When one of your teammates or friends, or her, such a significant person, is locked in a cage with a bear, of course I want to get in there and do everything possible to protect her and keep her safe. But she's such a stud, I don't worry about her. That's probably the reason why I'm cornering her, but I'm sitting there talking to people in the crowd because I'm so confident in her ability and what she does. I don't have to pay much attention to it. She's a stud."
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