Photo Credit: UFC Facebook
When the UFC was searching for a headliner for UFC 300, fans began suggesting some of the biggest names in MMA history. One notable suggestion was Ronda Rousey, the UFC's first female champion who had left the organization after consecutive losses and transitioned to a successful career in WWE. This suggestion prompted UFC President Dana White to shake his head in response.
“Ronda’s not coming back,” White said. With the way White said it, you knew that it was the truth and not just someone trying to lower expectations.
According to a recent statement Rousey made on a podcast with YouTuber Valeria Lipovetsky, it appears that White's reaction was justified. It turns out she didn't leave MMA on the best terms. Following her defeat to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, which marked her second consecutive loss after an initial 12-0 start to her pro career, she considered quitting MMA abruptly because of worries about recurring head injuries and a sense of underappreciation for her contributions to the sport.
“When I finally lost and I was just demonized by the whole world, it forced me to completely sever from that and find things that are validating in themselves and in my own world and the people I loved and respected around me,” Rousey explained.
Rousey mentioned returning too quickly after her first professional defeat against Holly Holm. She only waited a little over a year before her next fight. Her motivation was largely driven by a sense of obligation to her fans. However, Rousey admitted that her brain hadn't fully recovered and she felt disoriented as soon as Nunes landed a blow.
Despite her struggles, there seemed to be little sympathy. People began turning her worst moments from the lopsided loss into memes. This experience left Rousey bitter and resentful toward MMA and its supporters, leading her to retire from the sport for good. Her rise, fall, and exit were remarkably swift, showcasing one of the most abrupt transitions in combat sports history.
Within a few years, Rousey transformed from a relatively unknown figure in judo circles to arguably the most influential female fighter in combat sports. However, with just two losses, her career came to an abrupt end, spanning just under six years from start to finish.
Rousey believes that her defeats were a mix of unfortunate circumstances and timing. She attributes her loss to Holm to a faulty mouthpiece and a difficult weight cut. As for the Nunes fight, she suggests that she was still recovering from the effects of the previous defeat. In her view, neither loss was legitimate.
Photo Credit: UFC Facebook
“Just from that one fight, everybody felt like, ‘Oh she’s a fraud,’” Rousey said. “And I know that I’m the greatest fighter that has ever lived. But when I got to the point where I just neurologically couldn’t take it anymore, suddenly everything I accomplished meant nothing.”
There are two aspects to consider here. First, given Rousey's achievements, including an Olympic bronze medal in judo and becoming the first UFC women’s champion, it's understandable that she might perceive herself as one of the greatest fighters of all time. This self-belief might have been critical to her confidence inside the cage.
However, an objective look at the facts leads to the second point: Rousey doesn't hold the title of the greatest fighter of all time. Making such a claim would place her alongside legends like Muhammad Ali, Jon Jones, "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Demetrious Johnson, and others - a challenging assertion with a professional record of 12-2.
Even if Rousey is only claiming to be the greatest in the history of women’s MMA or just the UFC women’s bantamweight division, it still doesn't hold true. That distinction belongs to Amanda Nunes, who held at least one UFC title (often two simultaneously) for seven consecutive years until her retirement last summer.
But Rousey's significance to her sport shouldn't be undermined just because she wasn't the most dominant performer. There's a strong argument that she is the most influential fighter in the history of women’s MMA and perhaps all of women’s combat sports. That’s nothing to scoff at.
Rousey paved the way for female fighters in the UFC, offering deserving talents the opportunities they may have previously lacked. Despite the current celebration of women’s MMA, the UFC was initially resistant, with White adamantly against women's fights until Rousey changed his stance. She not only became a prominent figure in women’s MMA but also one of the UFC's biggest stars, broadening the sport's fan base and inspiring a new generation of fighters who contribute to today's thriving women’s MMA scene.
Of course, the rise of sports betting has played a role in that growth as well. There is no shortage of betting sites in today’s world. Many of them have attractive features and promotions while also catering to MMA and UFC.
While Rousey achieved a lot during her time in the sport and left a significant impact, her self-assessment regarding her losses can be seen as self-serving and somewhat disrespectful to her opponents. Even years later, she carries unrealistic expectations about public perception.
In combat sports, spectators often view fighters' journeys as a living narrative of triumphs and setbacks. Rousey excelled in the spotlight of success but faltered in handling defeat. While being a gracious loser is important, becoming too accustomed to it might hinder one's competitive edge, especially in professional fighting. Rousey's ability to command attention and demand recognition was a key part of her stardom.
At the same time, it's essential to recognize the contributions of other fighters, both those who preceded her and those who surpassed. It’s no different from recognizing Rousey’s profound impact on her sport without declaring her the best of all time; both things can be true.
