There was a time when Ronda Rousey was the UFC’s “it girl.” For two good years, she was the sport’s hottest commodity with both the looks and skills to draw in even the large demographic who saw MMA as nothing but a bloodsport.
Her drawing power was so massive, that it landed her an immediate title shot against Amanda Nunes, right after her hype was derailed by a kick to the jaw and a rude awakening from Holly Holm just a year prior.
Nunes vs. Rousey headlined UFC 207 on December 30th, 2016 in Las Vegas. Leading up to this point, “Rowdy” remained in the spotlight of the promo materials, and the fight was built up to be her resurgence as the bantamweight queen.
Nunes, of course, had other plans, and she executed them well. Every shot was thrown with bad intentions, letting everyone know that she was the superstar of that night.
Rousey was pretty much frozen like a deer in the headlights, a shell of her former self. After merely 48 seconds of action, referee Herb Dean had seen enough and stepped in to stop the fight.
Nunes went on to become the undisputed “GOAT” of women’s MMA almost two years to the day later. She will defend that featherweight title this Saturday against a hungry and determined challenger in Felicia Spencer.
But right here is the moment when she grabbed the torch from the woman once deemed an all-time great and male bantamweight killer.
About the author
