Ronda Rousey ‘grieving’ career she could have had

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and was included in one of their signature video packages regarding each individual that is recognized for their accomplishments and achievements that lead to change the world, in one direction or another.

In her video package, Rousey touches on various items in a more subdued and candid manner than most MMA interviews tend toward. Months after losing her title to eventual champion Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Australia, she opened up a bit more to discuss her current motivations to climb back to the top, as well as some of the more somber elements that come with suffering a massive loss on such a grand stage while being the face of a sport to millions around the world.

Among various interesting bits, she does address a lot of the backlash received after the loss:

“Because I hear so many of the worst things anyone could ever even imagine to think to say about me every single day. Thousands of times, all these people are constantly trying to reach me and tell me these negative things. People like to see people rise because they want to rise, but they like to see people fall because they want to feel like they’re human like they are.”

Most interesting is her disappointment with not being undefeated anymore in her professional mixed martial arts career:

“I’m still grieving the person that could have won it all, but I have to live up to the fact that I’m not her. That’s just who I’d like to be, and instead I’m what I need to be for myself and everyone else.”

It is a somewhat sobering take, considering that it’s very difficult to imagine what a loss like that does to a person’s ego and psyche overall. Losing while having that level of superstardom leads to some very unpredictable results. There seems to be a degree of determination couched in acceptance, as well as a recognition that she may feel a great degree of support from those around her. Not to delve too far into advanced psychoanalysis, but it appears to be a safe assumption given the phrasing.

No official date or opponent have been announced for Rousey’s return as of yet.

Victor Rodriguez

Victor Rodriguez has been a writer and podcaster for Bloody Elbow since 2015. He started his way as a lowly commenter and moderator to become the miscreant he is now. He often does weekly bits on fringe martial arts items across the globe, oddball street combat pieces, previews, analysis, and some behind-the-scenes support. He has trained in wrestling, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the occasional Muay Thai and Judo lesson here and there. Victor has also been involved with acting and audio editing projects. He lives in Pennsylvania where he plays way too many video games and is an S-rank dad.

More from the author