Ronda returns after 13 months this Friday (30) Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
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From the judo mats to the most famous octagon in the world, Ronda Rousey He left a trail of victories, success and fame wherever he went. Until one night in November 2015, she was violently knocked out by Holly holm and retreated from the spotlight. This Friday (30), the former champion returns to the UFC to celebrate the 207th edition of the biggest fighting event in the world and faces the current owner of the belt, Amanda nunes in the main fight.
Olympic bronze medalist, Strikeforce and UFC champion, fighter of the year for several years in a row, Hollywood actress... Ronda's achievements are extensive. But perhaps her greatest moment was changing MMA forever. She was the one who convinced a previously skeptical Dana White to put women in the UFC. The rest is history.
O SUPER FIGHTS prepared a special about the career of the former champion, who is trying to return to the top 13 months after losing her unbeaten record. See the five greatest moments in the life and career of Ronda Rousey:
1 – Olympic medal in judo
Ronda poses with a medal (Photo: Disclosure)
Daughter of the first North American world judo champion, Ronda entered the mat for the first time at the age of 11 – already without her father and hero, who committed suicide when she was 8 years old after being diagnosed with a debilitating illness. At 17, she was already participating in her first Olympics, in Athens, but only won one fight before being eliminated. The consecration only came in Beijing: Rowdy became the first North American to medal at the Olympic Games in judo, taking bronze. After her glory, however, she sank into financial problems, developing addictions to alcohol and medication, and even sleeping in her car.
2 – Before the UFC
(Strikeforce promotional video shows investment made in Tate and Rousey)
One day, while working in a bar in Los Angeles, Ronda saw an MMA fight on TV and, according to her autobiography “Minha Luta, Sua Luta”, decided to try the new sport. In 2010, before her first amateur fight, she was introduced to Edmond Tarvedryan by former fighter Manny Gamburyan, famous for being runner-up in The Ultimate fighter 5. Rousey's first achievement in MMA was the support of Tarvedryan, who was hesitant to train a woman. Convincing men that women belong in sport would become the North American's greatest brand.
After two victories in less than a minute, Ronda signed with Strikeforce and, after two more victories (as a featherweight), came her first confrontation with her arch-rival. Miesha Tate. The event made a splash with the fight and Rousey's relentless personality shone through as she maintained her undefeated record and won the show's bantamweight belt with an excellent performance. Another first round submission over the experienced Tate. And then the phone rang…
3 – Conquering Dana White
Ronda (right) convinced Dana to put women in the UFC (left) Photo: Disclosure
On the other end of the line, it was Dana White. The same man who in 2011 had said that women would never fight in the UFC, called to offer her the title of Ultimate world champion. Ronda had convinced him to eat his words. And with that, he revolutionized the sport. UFC 157 was the first female-led event. Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche by armbar, but it was difficult enough for the fight to be considered a success.
“The difference between men and women is that there was a story behind the fights. The duels between women were exciting, but no one cared because there was no rivalry, and there was no personality. I had to make my fight with another athlete personal and put people in front of the TV”, explained Ronda in an interview with the British magazine “Sport”.
In the UFC, the rivalry with Miesha continued. The two trained on The Ultimate Fighter 18 and became declared enemies. Ronda's image was a little damaged, but in the end she had the last laugh: another submission over her rival.
4 – Explosion in Hollywood
(Ronda action scene in the movie Fast and Furious 7)
With a bigger platform to showcase his talents inside and outside the octagon, the call to Hollywood soon came. Ronda's first film was a role in the action film “The Expendables 3”, alongside legends such as Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Soon, other invitations came. As she balanced belt defenses against Sara McMann (another Olympic medalist, in wrestling), Alexis Davis, Zingano cat e Bethe Correia, the champion got roles in other films, such as Fast and Furious 7 and the film adaptation of the Entourage series.
Not to mention appearances on traditional American TV talk shows, magazine covers and appearances on red carpets around the world.
5 – Defeat and fall
Ronda is knocked out by Holm at UFC 193 Photo: Disclosure/UFC
After the devastating victory over Bethe Correia in Brazil, Ronda was selected to face Holly holm. The fight would only take place at UFC 195, in January 2016. But an injury to Robbie Lawler, who would defend her welterweight title at UFC 193, caused Ultimate to ask her to fight in Australia, two months ahead of schedule. With an “anytime, anywhere” mentality, Rousey accepted the challenge. And defeat came.
Considered invincible in the bantamweight scene, Ronda was surprised by Holm's coolness, who knew how to deal with the chaos that the then champion knows how to impose like no one else inside the Octagon. Keeping the fight at long range, the former boxing champion hurt Rousey at various points in the first round, until she knocked her out with a brutal high kick in the second round.
After the setback, Ronda Rousey it disappeared. The interviews were scattered, with worrying responses. The American admitted to having thought about suicide after losing her invincibility. Her career in Hollywood was also put on hold – after losing to Holm, Ronda only appeared in one episode of the series “Drunk History”.
After some false alarms, her return was finally announced for UFC 207. This Friday (30), Ronda says it's time for redemption. It will be?
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