In a recent interview, UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey touted herself as having saved women’s mixed martial arts after many organizations had failed to produce a lasting star in the sport.
Rousey appeared on the podcast “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” and was asked if she ever considered retiring while still undefeated. The mixed martial arts star retired after two straight losses, leaving her with a 12-2 record.
The champion said she considered retiring but did not want to leave the women’s bantamweight division without producing a star who could move the sport forward.
“People were just saying how fragile the situation was and how I was able to help us out at the last minute. [to the UFC],” she Van Vleet said.“Strikeforce was the only organization that really showcased women, and that was because of Gina Carano, because her father was involved with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”
Carano, a fighter-turned-actor, was one of the original female mixed martial arts stars, going undefeated until losing to Cris “Cyborg” Justino in 2009. Rousey has made it clear she has disdain for Justino. Carano never returned to MMA despite a bout being scheduled in 2011.
Rousey said she stepped up to represent Carano, both in the fight and as a rising star in the sport.
“when [Carano] “The Wrestling World Series was over, Cris Cyborg was on steroids, nobody wanted to watch that phony motherfucker. Everything was ruined. The division was dying.”
“Retiring undefeated would have been a very selfish goal because I would have taken all of my rights with me,” Rousey continued, “and none of the rest of the women I left behind would have had any respect for me.”
Cyborg was responding to a clip of Rousey’s comments at X, asking if she was aware that Rousey has only won six of her eight UFC fights.
” [Ronda Rousey] Are you aware that she has only had eight fights in the UFC and only won 75% of them? Written.
Cyborg also responded to the fan’s comments. stated She said she never “quit” like Rousey did and that the idea that Rousey could save the sport is “goofy.”
To everyone’s eyes, Rousey was the saving grace of women’s MMA, as she was both a dominant force in the sport and the marketable face of the UFC.
Rousey also said in a recent interview that she learned it would be selfish to retire undefeated in WWE, but she has previously said her reason for retiring was due to issues with concussions.
“After that, I stopped fighting. [first] “I was overwhelmed with loss. I’d had so many concussions that at that point, literally any shot would give me a concussion,” Rousey explained. “My body and mind started to fall apart, and when I couldn’t do anything anymore, everyone hated me, and I couldn’t even explain to them why.”
Rousey has sparked controversy over her recollection of various events and stories in a series of 2024 interviews she gave to promote her book, with the fighter claiming that media figures such as Joe Rogan have turned their backs on her and falsely remembered the outcomes of fights.
This has sparked a series of responses from former UFC employees, including fighter Brendan Schaub, who said the stories in Rousey’s book “never happened.” Former UFC commentator Jimmy Smith also said Rousey was a “pathetic” and “nasty” person who was widely disliked by UFC staff.
UFC legend Matt Brown also advised Rousey to practice humility because “no one wants to hear” what she’s saying.
Rousey last fought in MMA in 2016 and has not expressed interest in returning.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censorship and sign up for our newsletter to receive stories like this directly to your inbox. Register here!
