Ronda Rousey’s UFC career, which lasted less than four years, was marked by her rapid rise to stardom, significant contributions to women’s MMA, and eventual retirement due to the cumulative effects of concussions, which she hopes will prompt more fighters to address similar issues for their long-term health.
Given the star power and attention she received while fighting, it’s almost impossible to comprehend that Ronda Rousey’s entire UFC career actually lasted less than four years.
During that span, Rousey fought eight times, defended her UFC title six times, and became one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport. Rousey was so busy being the face of women’s MMA that UFC CEO Dana White believes it actually cost her when it came time to evolve as a fighter.
“While she was doing what she was doing, building the sport and the UFC and women, all these other women were training to beat her,” White said back in June. “She had taken so much on her shoulders at the time, it was literally impossible for her to keep growing as a fighter during that period.”
Reacting to White’s comments, Rousey said she tried put the sport on her back upon first arriving in the UFC. But also knows those choices were her own.
Rousey said she told White specifically that she’d do everything in her power to prove him right after becoming the catalyst that ushered women into UFC for the first time.
“I had to be everything to everyone,” Rousey told CBS Sports. “I had to promote as hard as I trained, and because I did that, that’s why we got as far as we are today. I didn’t just make it about me and my performances and picking and choosing my fights when it would work best for me.”
“That’s why we were so successful. That’s why the sport had never been hotter. It was because of that work.”
“I promised Dana that’s what I would do if he believed in me and invested in me and brought me into the company,” she added. “I felt like if I did anything less, that would have made me a liar.”
Beyond promoting and fighting whenever UFC asked, Rousey has said she was also dealing with lingering effects of concussions suffered throughout her athletic career. Since retiring from UFC and putting her pro wrestling career on hold, Rousey revealed for the first time that repeated concussions played a big part in her decision to stop fighting.
Her concussion history also played into why Rousey never mentioned the subject after her final UFC fight against Amanda Nunes in 2016; she was already plotting for a future in WWE. Once fighting and wrestling were done, Rousey finally spoke out about her concussion history which started when she was involved with swimming as a child.
“If the concussions weren’t an issue, things would have happened completely differently [in my fight career],” Rousey said. “Cumulative neurological injury is something people just don’t talk about in MMA.”
“Which is also something everybody is dealing with at a different pace,” she continued. “I started dealing with it at 6 years old; I started getting concussions.”
Even if she didn’t have plans for pro wrestling after her MMA career was done, Rousey suspects she probably still wouldn’t have addressed her struggles while still active in UFC.
“As a fighter,” she explained, “you’re not supposed to show any weakness or talk about things like that or the inevitable neurological decline that comes with taking head shots.” A lot of people talk about it as if it’s making excuses or showing weakness.”
“But I have my whole rest of my life to think about,” added Rousey. “You never know when you take one hit too many until many decades later.”
“Also,” continued Rousey thoughtfully, “I don’t think I would be serving the sport or division right if I’d stuck around too long.” She knew there came a point where continuing head impacts wouldn’t allow competing at top level anymore.
“It doesn’t do any favors,” concluded Ronda somberly. “It’s bad look on women’s MMA overall since I’m representative.” You see aging fighters get hurt easier; their brains suffer long-term damage leading them punch drunk or worse—wheelchairs even! Nobody talks about this enough.”
Now open about concussion history herself—Ronda hopes more fighters acknowledge similar struggles faced by them too!
“Wish more people would address this issue,” says passionate ex-fighter turned advocate now! “Longevity matters!” Fighters should grow old gracefully holding grandkids—not become cautionary tales!”