“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Photo: Maxim

When people think of women’s MMA fighting, they think of Ronda Rousey. She is the #1 female MMA fighter in the world and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. It’s no surprise that she ended up in competitive fighting. Her mom, AnnMaria De Mars, was the first American to win at the World Judo Championships, winning the 1984 tournament. Rousey made her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in 2010 after a long and successful judo career. At the age of 17, Rousey qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she became the first American woman to medal in judo when she won the bronze.

Following an outstanding judo career, Rousey turned her attention to MMA fighting. After participating in MMA for two years, she became the first female fighter to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). UFC president Dana White was interviewed on Jim Rome’s radio show in 2012 when rumors were flying about Rousey’s contract with the UFC. Originally, White believed that there would never be women in the UFC, but Rousey changed his mind. When asked about Rousey he said this: “She’s a real fighter and she’s very talented. She has the credentials, the pedigree; I mean everything. I think she has that ‘it’ factor. I think she’s going to be a big superstar. This girl is nasty.”

White’s prediction for Rousey’s future was on point. Rousey is 3-0 in her career as a UFC fighter and 9-0 in her MMA lifetime career. Seven out of nine fights ended in the first round by submission with her signature move, the armbar.  Her most recent fight also lasted only one round, but this time, it ended because of a knockout. She faced Sara McMann, who many believed would put an end to Rousey’s undefeated career. Both women were Olympic medalists, Rousey with a bronze in judo in 2008 and McMann with a silver in freestyle wrestling in 2004. Rousey proved everyone wrong one minute and six seconds into the first round. Rousey trapped McMann against the fence and kneed her hard in the midsection. McMann doubled over, and the referee stepped in immediately to stop the fight. This was Rousey’s eighth fight that ended in the first round and her first career knockout.

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is the first and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.