Ronda Rousey is rediscovering her passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
As a former UFC and Strikeforce women`s bantamweight champion, Rousey played a pivotal role in elevating women`s MMA. She trailblazed by becoming the first woman to compete in and headline a UFC event, facing Liz Carmouche in 2013.
Before her retirement in 2016, prompted by consecutive title losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, as well as a history of concussions, Rousey had an impressive streak, finishing all 11 of her opponents in the first round.
After her recent pregnancy, Rousey has undergone a remarkable physical transformation and is back to hitting pads in MMA training for the first time in years.
Despite ongoing speculation about a potential comeback, Rousey clarifies her reasons for returning to her combat sports origins.
Ronda Rousey Claims `Greatest Ever` Title Amidst Training Resumption
Rousey had taken an eight-year hiatus from MMA since her last fight at UFC 207.
On The Breakfast Club, Rousey revealed she resumed training after a coach requested her assistance in achieving their judo black belt.
“I`m simply enjoying it again,” Rousey commented on her return to MMA training.
“There came a point when I felt my passion for the sport was usurped, and I was competing and training for external motivations rather than my own.”
She elaborated on her post-pregnancy journey:
“After my most recent pregnancy, I realized how incredibly challenging it is. I felt physically debilitated compared to my previous state as a finely tuned athletic machine. Simple movements, like a forward roll, felt like they could injure my back.”
“My motivation stemmed from a desire to reclaim my physical identity, moving beyond being solely a vessel for new life.”
Rousey explained her initial aversion to the sport after her fighting career:
“I resumed MMA training because losing my identity as a fighter was profoundly heartbreaking. My love for the sport was so intense that I initially reacted by completely disengaging, refusing to train or participate in anything related to it.”
“It`s amusing, people always ask why I`m training, and I tell them, `For my own enjoyment, is there something wrong with that?`”
When complimented on her physique, Rousey confidently asserted her prowess:
“They comment on how good I look, and I respond, `Well, that`s because I`m the greatest ever.`”
“Of course, this is the natural outcome when I train,” Rousey added. “I don`t necessarily need a grand plan for world domination in mind…”
Hinting at the possibility of a future return to competition, she referenced another combat sports legend:
“However, Mike Tyson`s comeback, which was one of last year`s biggest fights, suggests that no one is ever truly `done` in combat sports,” Rousey remarked.
The Legacy of Amanda Nunes: The Reigning `Greatest Female Fighter`
For a significant period, Rousey held the undisputed title of the `Greatest Of All Time` in women`s MMA. She accumulated eight title victories across both the UFC and Strikeforce.
It took several years for Amanda Nunes to unequivocally surpass Rousey and become widely recognized as the greatest female fighter in history.
Nunes famously submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200, then decisively TKO`d Rousey in just 48 seconds during her first title defense later that year.
With 11 UFC title fight wins, Nunes has defeated every women`s UFC champion in the 135 lbs division and above, with the sole exception of current bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.
