Ronda Rousey: From Dominance to Downfall

Ronda Rousey was once hailed as one of the most dominant female fighters in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). She entered the world of combat sports with a remarkable resume that boasted an Olympic medal in judo, a Strikeforce championship, and the honor of being the first women’s champion in the UFC. Rousey’s ability to finish fights quickly—often in the first round—earned her an aura of invincibility. Her armbar submissions became the stuff of legend, and she became a symbol of women’s empowerment in sports. But with that dominance came controversy, criticism, and ultimately, a dramatic downfall.

A Meteoric Rise

Rousey’s journey began in judo, a sport she excelled in, participating in the 2004, 2007, and 2008 Olympics. In 2008, she made history by becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo, securing a bronze in Beijing. This victory laid the foundation for her transition to MMA, where she quickly made a name for herself. Rousey debuted in the sport on March 26, 2011, with a 25-second submission victory, immediately signaling her arrival as a formidable competitor.

Her string of victories was relentless. Rousey finished her first four MMA fights in the first round, setting her up for a title shot against Miesha Tate in Strikeforce. After winning that title with her signature armbar submission, Rousey’s career skyrocketed when the UFC absorbed Strikeforce. Rousey became the UFC’s first women’s bantamweight champion and was positioned as the face of women’s MMA.

A Fighter's Hubris

With each victory, Rousey’s confidence seemed to grow unchecked. She was widely promoted by the UFC and sports personalities like Joe Rogan, who repeatedly emphasized her greatness. Rogan, in particular, became almost emotionally invested in her success, famously describing her knockout victory over Bethe Correia as a transcendent moment in MMA. Rousey herself fed into the hype, often boasting that she was the best fighter in the world, and in one notorious interview, claimed she could defeat “most men” in combat.

However, critics began to emerge. Some fans and fighters felt that Rousey was being given favorable matchups to bolster her dominance, with many of her opponents lacking the skills to truly challenge her. While Rousey racked up win after win, her arrogance became more evident. In interviews, she projected an image of invincibility, and her dismissive attitude toward opponents rubbed many people the wrong way. Her statement before the Holly Holm fight—“I’m going to retire undefeated and be the greatest of all time”—would come back to haunt her.

The Beginning of the End: Holm vs. Rousey

The cracks in Ronda Rousey’s image of invincibility became glaringly apparent during her infamous fight against Holly Holm in 2015. In one of the most shocking upsets in MMA history, Holm completely dismantled Rousey with a head kick knockout in the second round. This loss was not just a defeat but a public humiliation. Rousey, once thought to be unbeatable, was exposed as a fighter who had significant weaknesses in her striking game.

Before the fight, Rousey had predicted she would retire undefeated, dismissing Holm’s ability to knock her out. That overconfidence made the outcome even more bitter. In the aftermath, Rousey struggled to cope with the loss, both physically and emotionally. She later admitted on The Ellen Show that she had suffered a concussion and could barely stand during the fight. While some sympathized with her, others saw her post-fight comments as excuses for being outclassed by a better fighter that night.

A Failed Comeback

After a year-long absence from the sport, Rousey attempted to make a comeback against Amanda Nunes, hoping for redemption. However, this effort only deepened the wounds of her legacy. Nunes knocked Rousey out in just 48 seconds, further solidifying the narrative that Rousey could no longer compete at the highest level of MMA. Rousey’s response to the loss was eerily similar to her reaction after the Holm fight—more excuses, more deflections, and little acknowledgment of the deficiencies in her game.

This second defeat marked the end of Rousey’s career in MMA. The once-feared champion, who had built her reputation on confidence and dominance, had been humbled twice, and she struggled to accept her diminished status. As her fighting career came to a close, Rousey increasingly distanced herself from the MMA community, focusing instead on other opportunities.

A New Chapter in WWE—and More Controversy

Rousey’s post-MMA career took her to the world of professional wrestling with WWE, where fans were initially excited to see her crossover. She quickly became a headliner, bringing her star power to the sport. However, her time in WWE was not without its share of controversies. Early on, she was pitted against fan-favorite Becky Lynch, leading to Rousey being booed for the first time in her career. Rousey’s response was to lash out, both in character and in real life, criticizing WWE fans and even calling professional wrestling “fake.”

Her inability to handle criticism reared its head again as Rousey frequently clashed with the WWE fanbase, calling them ungrateful and accusing the organization of favoritism. Despite these controversies, Rousey’s wrestling career ended without major scandal, although she couldn’t resist making derogatory comments about WWE and its fans once she left.

A Legacy Tarnished by Ego

Perhaps what has tarnished Rousey’s legacy the most is her inability to handle criticism with humility. In interviews and podcasts, she often deflects responsibility for her losses and career struggles, blaming the UFC, the WWE, or her opponents. Her comments on podcasts like Steve-O’s Wild Ride in 2024, where she accused WWE of favoritism towards Logan Paul, further solidified her reputation as someone unwilling to take accountability.

Even after leaving the sport, Rousey continues to make excuses for her losses, notably revisiting her fight with Holm, where she now claims she fought under less-than-ideal conditions. Fighters like Holm have dismissed Rousey’s excuses, with Holm stating, “I was just the better fighter that night.” Others in the MMA community, like Matt Brown, have criticized Rousey’s refusal to show humility.

Rousey’s former promoters, such as UFC President Dana White, have also weighed in on her downfall. Once her biggest advocate, White has expressed disappointment in how Rousey’s career ended, though he still acknowledges her contributions to women’s MMA. Even Joe Rogan, who once compared her to the greatest fighters in MMA history, has walked back his praise, openly regretting how he promoted her as unbeatable.

Conclusion: From Glory to Infamy

Ronda Rousey’s career is a cautionary tale of how quickly public perception can change, especially when a fighter’s ego overshadows their achievements. Once celebrated as a trailblazer in women’s combat sports, Rousey’s inability to accept defeat with grace and her habit of blaming others for her setbacks have marred her legacy. Even in retirement, she remains a polarizing figure, remembered as much for her controversies as for her accomplishments. Her downfall serves as a reminder that, in sports and in life, humility often speaks louder than victory.