Few figures in the MMA community are as iconic and influential as Ronda Rousey. The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, who helped pave the way for women’s combat sports, has always been a trailblazer. Now, the legendary fighter has shed light on the reasons behind her decision to walk away from the sport she once dominated.
In an interview with INSIGHT host Chris Van Vliet, Rousey opened up about the key factors that led to her retirement from MMA. She said her age and the toll of repeated blows to the head were significant factors. She understood that her actions and choices had a far-reaching impact on the sport and its future.
“I just felt like it was my responsibility to age gracefully because I’m a representative of my sport. And I’m like, people look at me, you think of women’s MMA, and if I’m rolling around in a wheelchair, people aren’t going to let their little girls go and do it,” said Rousey.
It’s a remarkably selfless and forward-thinking perspective, one that showcases her genuine concern for the well-being of the sport. She recognized that the effects of a lifetime of combat could be detrimental, not just to her own health, but to the perception and growth of women’s MMA as a whole.
Rousey‘s decision to walk away from the sport she loved at the height of her powers is a testament to her selfless and responsible nature. She understood the weight of her legacy and the impact her actions could have on the future of women’s MMA.
Ronda Rousey Calls Out MMA Media For Discrediting Her Legacy
Rousey, who burst onto the scene with a dazzling six-fight win streak in the UFC, faced a devastating fall from grace after suffering back-to-back losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. While many fighters would have crumbled under the weight of such a dramatic reversal of fortunes, she remained defiant, unwilling to let the naysayers and critics define her legacy.
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Ronda Rousey has never been one to mince words. In a recent interview with Chris Cuomo, the trailblazer for women’s MMA has once again made her voice heard. This time taking aim at the MMA media and their alleged “hatred” towards her.
“Yeah, the MMA media hates me, so, it’s fine. They’ve all just doubled down and said that I’m making excuses or lying [after losses]. I’m not waiting for it [accreditation from MMA media], and I get that they’re a bunch of a**holes,” said Rousey.
The former champion’s stance is bold and unapologetic. She clearly believes that the MMA media has failed to properly acknowledge her contributions to the sport. Rousey, after all, was the driving force behind the UFC’s decision to add a women’s division. She paved the way for countless female fighters to showcase their skills on the biggest stage.
