Ronda Rousey: Fighting Her Way To The Top

Making a Champion

Giving birth is one of the most difficult things a woman can go through, and Ann Marie’s experience was no exception. Ronda’s birth was problematic because the infant was born with the umbilical cord around her neck. Her oxygen flow was compromised, but she survived the initial bout.

Making a Champion

Learning to Speak

Ronda Rousey was unable to construct intelligible words and sentences as a result of a neurological disease called apraxia, which was triggered by the traumatic birth completion that Rousey had. Rousey spent years working with a speech therapist, and she eventually made a full recovery and triumphed in that battle as well.

Learning to Speak

Then Came the Accident

When Rousey was eight years old, she was the victim of a horrific tragedy. Ronda and her family went sledding during that winter, and it was the moment when their lives were permanently altered. In a skiing accident, her father fractured his back. He was a sledding enthusiast. Ron was rendered immobile from the waist down as a result of a blood issue that had not been identified before. This condition was preventing him from mending correctly. The fact that the doctors only gave him a few more years to live caused him to spiral out of control, which ultimately led to him killing his own life off.

Then Came the Accident

Learning from Mom

It was when Ronda was 11 years old that she began her training with her mother. After putting in a lot of effort and learning everything she could about judo, she eventually became powerful enough to accidently break her mother’s wrist. This moment occurred a couple of years later. When Ronda was just 15 years old, she entered the Olympic squad, demonstrating that she was a natural fighter to begin with. She made history by becoming the youngest American to ever reach the position of number one in her weight category the following year, when she was ranked number one in her weight category.

Learning from Mom

The Winner Takes It All

Despite the fact that she had qualified for the Olympics in 2004, Rousey was unsuccessful in her first fight. On the other hand, she did not allow the loss to drag her down. This particular year, she competed in the World Championships held in Hungary, and she ended up winning the gold medal for her nation. Her victory was the first of many to come.

The Winner Takes It All

Another Olympic Round

By the time she competed in the Olympic Games in 2008, Ronda was prepared to take on any opponent she encountered. Even though she put up a strong fight, she ultimately fell short in the quarterfinals, which was a close call. She was given a second opportunity to compete in the medal rounds because the scores were actually so close to being identical. She made the most of the chance, put out a valiant effort, and ultimately brought home the bronze medal. By winning a medal in judo at the Olympics, she made history as the first American woman to accomplish it.

Another Olympic Round

A Post-Olympic Life

At the age of 21, Rousey decided to withdraw from judo after receiving nearly every judo medal that a young American woman could possibly earn. She moved in with a roommate in California and gave a life that was not one of the Olympic athletes a try. As it turned out, this was far more difficult than winning medals. She worked three jobs in order to provide for herself and her dog, but she eventually came to the realization that it was all becoming too much for her to handle.

A Post-Olympic Life

Welcome to MMA

During the time when Rousey was still practicing in judo, she had a few training partners who later became mixed martial arts fighters. There was a suggestion made by those old training partners that this might be exactly what Rousey needs to accomplish next in her life. As Rousey grew weary of her mundane occupations, she made the decision to follow their guidance and start her journey in mixed martial arts (MMA), a choice that would forever alter her life.

Welcome to MMA

The First Fight

In the summer of 2010, Rousey competed in her first mixed martial arts battle. The battle was truly epic. The fight wasn’t even close to becoming epic. During the scant twenty-three seconds that it lasted, she annihilated her adversary at a rate that was faster than you could blink. What a fantastic beginning that was for Rousey.

The First Fight

Going Pro

According to the rules of mixed martial arts (MMA), Ronda was considered an amateur when she first started her career. However, when it came to her professional demeanor, she was on par with the best. The backside of anyone who had the courage to confront her was handed to them on a platter in less than a minute. It should not come as a surprise that Rousey became professional and completely dominated her competitors.

Going Pro

Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine

During her professional career, Rousey accomplished the seemingly impossible by winning four consecutive fights, each of which lasted for less than one minute. After all of those fights and accomplishments, she finally gets the chance to compete against the current champion. The fight lasted for four minutes and twenty-seven seconds, which is significantly longer than Rousey’s typical bout length, yet she emerged victorious. She became a sensation in mixed martial arts (MMA), and ESPN Magazine even featured her on the cover of their “Body Issue” magazine.

Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine

Cover Girl

It was only a matter of time before Rousey received a cover for the “Body Issue” magazine, given her rising popularity. You might think of “Body Issue” as the “Sports Illustrated” of ancient Sparta. It features mega athletes displaying their hard-earned athletic physiques on glossy pages. Rousey was delighted to take part in the activity since she considered the idea to be art. The most important thing that she wanted to convey was that one does not have to give up their femininity in order to get athleticism. In a meaningful statement, Rousey stated, “I am capable of being a fighter and being tough while still maintaining my femininity.”

Cover Girl

The Body “Issue”

Her experience of shooting for the “Body Issue” was empowering; nonetheless, she did not have complete control over the circumstances surrounding the shoot. While she was posing for the magazine, her primary concern was that the publication might publish naked photographs. When she was on set, she was as cautious as she could possibly be, but suddenly her fears came true. During the time that Rousey was getting her photographs done, a cameraman from ESPN was working behind the scenes to capture footage for the ESPN YouTube channel. It found out that the video showed her naked for a brief period of time during the entire clip. She was so incensed that she demanded that ESPN immediately erase the footage, which they complied with.

The Body Issue

Facing Holm

Rousey has established a reputation for herself as a formidable fighter who can show her adversaries who the true ruler is in a relatively short amount of time, typically less than one minute. After that, in the year 2015, she competed against Holly Holm in the ring. For someone who was about to compete against Rousey, who appeared to be invincible, Holm displayed a surprising amount of confidence. Following Holm’s victory in the bout, the UFC community was jolted to its very foundations. Even more significantly, Rousey was disturbed.

Facing Holm

Losing Her Mojo

In the aftermath of her dismal fight against Holm, Rousey felt a profound sense of dissatisfaction with herself. Over the course of the following year, she did not compete at all and instead concentrated on her training. When she was eventually able to return to the ring, she was slated to compete against Amanda Nunes, who was the current champion from the previous bout. When it came to Rousey, there was a lot at risk. Surprisingly, Nunes was able to keep her title after that fight that lasted for only forty-eight seconds. As a result of the shock that her fans experienced, Rousey began to worry that she might be losing her touch.

Losing Her Mojo

Reinventing Herself

Rousey had her sights set on a new challenge by the time she discovered that she was being defeated more frequently than she was comfortable with. She decided to pursue acting. This super fighter has tried his hand at acting in the past, and he even had a role in the movie “The Expendables 3” that was released in 2014. Rousey switched her attention into acting and began to acquire a greater number of jobs, one of which being an appearance in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. A remarkable fight scene that she had with Michelle Rodriguez in “Furious 7” gave her the opportunity to show off her previous combat techniques, and she took advantage of the opportunity.

Reinventing Herself

Violence Is Never the Answer

The dating life of Rousey did not see the same level of success as her professional life did. “My Fight, Your Fight” is Rousey’s autobiography, and in it, she admits that she had a relationship with an ex-boyfriend that was very unhealthy. She claims that he snapped a naked picture of her without her knowledge or consent, which ultimately resulted in her resorting to physical action against him. By this point, we are all aware that she is capable of throwing a hard punch. There is a sense of relief that the two are no longer together.

Violence Is Never the Answer

Finding Love

In the end, Rousey’s one and only true love was found. Travis Browne, the man, is a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and the two began dating at the time when Browne and his ex-wife were still married (although they were separated). It was allegations of domestic abuse that led to the dissolution of his first marriage; nevertheless, Rousey is convinced that he is innocent. She made this statement during an interview with ESPN, and ever since then, the two have been dating. “I know that he didn’t do anything,” she stated.

Finding Love

More on the Controversial Relationship

It appears that something other than comedy was taking the spotlight during Rousey’s hosting of an edition of Saturday Night Live in 2016, and that something was the ring that Ronda was wearing on her fiancée’s finger. Jenna Renee Webb, Browne’s wife (who was technically still married despite the fact that they were separated at the time), was one of the individuals who was particularly enraged by the occurrence. Following the broadcast of the show, she uploaded a picture of Ronda’s ring along with an angry caption in which she called Rousey out for seeing a married guy and accused Browne of striking her (Webb) in the past.

More on the Controversial Relationship

Some Serious Accusations

The post that Webb made after the episode of Saturday Night Live went viral and cast an unfavorable light on the relationship between Roursye and Browne. A whole lot of drama around him being married and reportedly assaulting his wife, who he had been estranged from for a long time. Webb’s posts on social media stoked the flames of controversy even further, and Travis tried everything in his ability to clear his name against the allegations. Despite the fact that he rejected the allegations of abuse and even told Ronda that he would understand if she wanted to end their relationship, they continued to be together. In the end, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) commissioned an independent investigation that ultimately exonerated him.

Some Serious Accusations

Saying “I Do”

After dating for a period of two years, Rousey and Browne made the announcement that they were engaged. It is said that the proposal was made while the couple was on vacation in New Zealand, beneath a waterfall in the area. They tied the knot in a ceremony that took place in Hawaii a few months later. Browne shared the traditional post-wedding picture, and the remark that accompanied it read, “What a beautiful day!! She is incredibly flawless in every way imaginable! She brings a smile to my face. There is no one other like her! Thank you for everything, Rondarousey! #browsey2017”

Saying I Do

Farm Girl

Rousy’s life is relatively peaceful, considering that she made the most of her fortune by winning battles against other people. They make their home on a farm, which is a sizable property situated in the city of Venice in the state of California. A variety of farm animals, including chickens, goats, and ducks, are among the creatures that the couple raises on their farm in addition to growing fruits and vegetables. As far as Rousey is concerned, her ideal Sunday would consist of preparing a meal made from farm-grown ingredients and tending to the pond where the ducks live.

Farm Girl

Let’s Talk About Food

A great number of elite athletes adhere to a stringent diet and are quite careful about the foods that they consume. A statement made by Rousey in 2012 indicated that the diet she adheres to incorporates aspects of both the Paleo diet and the Warrior Diet. Despite the fact that she does not now follow a vegan diet, Rousey did follow one for a stretch of time. Organic food is something that she enjoys eating, and she grows as much of her own stuff as she can.

Let’s Talk About Food

The Animal Instinct

A dog’s physical therapist was Rousey’s previous employer before she started working for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her farm and subsequent menagerie have allowed her to spend more time with her animals, and she is delighted by this opportunity. She takes pleasure in spending time with her goats, particularly the one named Rio, whom she used to bottle-feed when he was a young child but is now an adult.

The Animal Instinct

Going to WWE?

Following her humiliating defeat against Nunes in 2016, Rousey decided to retire from the sport and concentrate on acting instead. Despite the fact that it provided her with a certain degree of satisfaction, she remained open to the possibility of other chances that could come her way. Word has spread across the wrestling community that Rousey is on the verge of becoming a star in WWE. Despite this, there was no formal announcement made, therefore it was all just a rumor. Nevertheless, she was later seen traveling with Triple H, a prominent figure in WWE, indicating that the allegation was not entirely without foundation.

Going to WWE

A WWE Debut

Rousey inked a contract with WWE in February of 2018. Two months later, at WrestleMania 34, she made her debut in the Superdome for the first time. In their match against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, she was partnered with Kurt Angle and they fought against them. She was overjoyed to emerge victorious from that fight, and she was taken aback by the respectful behavior of the enormous crowd. She had anticipated that the fans would give her the cold shoulder because she was coming from outside of WWE, but they were really gracious to her.

A WWE Debut

A Different Kind of Performance

The difference between mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts and WWE battles is that the former are real fights with real competition, while the latter are not. This is for those of you who are not familiar with the world of wrestling and the various leagues. During the latter, the performance is choreographed, and there are more stunts than genuine fighting that takes place. Rousey’s mother was the one who instructed her in judo, as we mentioned earlier. The so-called “mean-mug” that she pulls off in the ring, also known as the combat face that she wears, is something that she learnt from her godfather.

A Different Kind of Performance

Giving the Small Screen a Shot

Following her departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rousey’s life shifted to focus more on acting. As you are aware, she has been cast in films, but she was also interested in trying her hand at television appearances. A number of guest appearances have been made by her over the previous few years, the most notable of which being in 2017 when she appeared on the drama series “Blindspot” as a prisoner. The experience was enjoyable for Rousey, and she expressed her desire to play the part again in the future.

Giving the Small Screen a Shot

More Than Just a Fighter

As soon as filmmakers come face to face with the force of nature that is Ronda Rousey, it is only natural that they want to incorporate her athletic abilities into their narratives. However, filmmaker Pete Berg took notice of something else about her. “Mile 22” was a film that Berg directed in 2018, and he wanted Rousey to star in it so that she could showcase more of her acting abilities. She was moved by his trust in her, and he wanted her to demonstrate to others that she had more to contribute than what she had previously shown.

More Than Just a Fighter

Kids Are Brutal

Even for a world-class athlete, being a teenage girl is a challenging experience, and Ronda was no exception to this rule. The fact that she had such robust muscles and a powerful physique caused other children to gossip about her and tease her. It wasn’t very clever of her to do that, considering that she could knock them all out without breaking a sweat, but the words got to her, and they hurt her a great deal. She had a lot of mental obstacles to overcome, and as a result, she was assaulted by the memories after she was defeated by Holm. Following the occurrence of that event, Rousey began to entertain some regrettable ideas of ending her own life.

Kids Are Brutal

Opening up to Ellen

Despite the fact that it is difficult to conceive of someone as resilient as Rousey breaking down, it is essential to keep in mind that she is merely a human being. When Ronda appeared on the Elle DeGeneres show in 2016, she discussed the deep depression she was experiencing as a result of her defeat at the hands of Holm. Her words were filled with emotion as she described how she felt as like she had nothing left to live for after this. Nevertheless, she claims that in that same instant, she looked up to Browne, who was standing by her side, and had the realization that there was more to life than successfully prevailing in battles. By exposing her vulnerable side, Rousey served as a source of motivation for everyone who has ever experienced the same emotions.

Opening up to Ellen

Fighting Depression

Exhibiting a lack of defeat During her longest fight to date, Rousey has fought against her own personal demons. She learned everything she knows about judo from her mother, but she was never taught how to deal with the disappointment of losing a battle or how to deal with situations in which she is disappointed. When she was in her late 20s, she was confronted with those feelings. She allowed herself to sink into a despair that lasted for two years. She remembers Browne holding her and pulling her through everything, even though she was crying a lot and isolating herself much of the time. According to what she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, “I couldn’t have done it alone.”

Fighting Depression

Never Call Her a “Do Nothing”

Never Call Her a Do Nothing

An ESPY Princess

However, Rousey did not sever her ties with ESPN in spite of the “Body Issue” scandal. To be more specific, she has even been a guest at the ESPY Awards on multiple occasions. Rousey’s achievements have been recognized with three ESPY Awards during the course of her career. The ESPY Awards, which stand for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, are frequently compared to the Academy Awards for sports. Two years in a row, in 2014 and 2015, she was awarded the title of Best Female Athlete, and in 2015, she was also given the title of Best Fighter. To be more specific, Rousey was the only woman to be nominated for the latter.

An ESPY Princess

Rousey vs Mayweather

During the 2015 Edition of the ESPY Awards, Rousey made a reference to Floyd Mayweather, who was one of the competitors who shared the nomination for Best Fighter with her. When asked about Rousey the previous year, Mayweather stated that he was unaware of her existence and that he had never heard of her. On the red carpet, Rousey made the following statement: “I wonder how Floyd feels about being defeated by a woman for once. I would like to see you pretend that you do not know who I am and who I am now.”

Rousey vs Mayweather

Home Invasion, the Rousey Edition

An interview that Rousey gave in 2017 on the talk show “Live With Kelly and Ryan” had her discussing the fact that she had been robbed a few months before. It would appear that the burglars were not very astute, as they successfully robbed a couple who make their money by punching each other regularly. Several items, including her Olympic ring, a weapon, costly jewelry, and credit cards, were taken from her. An immediate review of Rousey and her husband’s security system revealed that the perpetrators were identified as being from a skatepark in the neighborhood. When the tape was handed over to the police, they were able to locate the robbers and take them into custody.

Home Invasion, the Rousey Edition

A Solid Partnership

By the time the year 2016 came to a close, Rousey had established herself as the most dominant female fighter in the UFC in her weight class. Rousey was presented with numerous sponsorship opportunities, and she ultimately decided to collaborate with companies such as Carl’s Jr., Reebok, Buffalo Jeans, and Metro PCS. Following the occurrence of two significant losses in her career, a number of inquiries concerning the sponsorship began to surface. Would the sponsors be willing to support Rousey? It was reported by TMZ Sports that the sponsors provided a great deal of support. Reebok has even stated that they are always there for her and that their collaboration is not based on whether or not they are successful.

A Solid Partnership

A UFC Hall of Famer

In a short amount of time, Rousey achieved both success and popularity. As a result of her meteoric rise to fame, she was the third most Googled person in the world in the year 2015. Rousey was the one who sparked interest in women’s boxing around the world. This, in addition to the accomplishments she had highlighted earlier, won her the recognition that she so richly deserved. In 2018, she made history by being the first woman to be inducted into the Underground Fighting Championship Hall of Fame.

A UFC Hall of Famer