Ronda Rousey Sets the Record Straight on MMA Return
Ronda Rousey, the trailblazing former UFC bantamweight champion, has categorically dismissed any speculation about her returning to mixed martial arts. While fans have long hoped for her comeback, Rousey has laid bare the harsh realities that prevent her from stepping back into the octagon.
In a candid revelation, Rousey cited irreversible neurological damage as the primary reason for her not returning to MMA. "It's nice to feel missed, I guess. But it's not happening. I'm not neurologically fit to compete anymore at the highest level. I just can't. You just get to a level where the neurological injuries you take accumulate over time. They don't get better," Rousey said.
An Early Struggle with Concussions
Rousey's struggle with concussions began alarmingly early in her life, during her swimming days. "I started dealing with it at six years old. I started getting concussions much earlier on in swimming. Two kids doing a backstroke in the other direction crack heads or hit the wall doing the backstroke," she shared.
Her transition to judo, a sport she took up at a young age, did not alleviate her predicament. "I started doing judo at a young age and kept getting concussions regularly and multiple times a year and not being allowed to speak up or say anything about it," Rousey explained.
The Climb and the Downfall
Despite these challenges, Rousey rapidly ascended from the regional scene to Strikeforce and then the UFC. Her impact was so profound that she influenced UFC President Dana White to reconsider his stance on women's participation in the UFC. Rousey became a household name, a mainstream star who significantly raised the profile of women's fighting in MMA.
However, the physical toll of her career became undeniable. "When I got into MMA, I had already had dozens of concussions that I trained through. Like, not even stopped for. So that was about a decade of having concussion symptoms more often than not. So when I got into MMA, I was playing a game of zero errors," Rousey revealed.
Her career reached a breaking point with back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. "I got to a point where I couldn't take a jab without getting dazed, without getting concussion symptoms. It just got to a point where it wasn't safe for me to fight anymore. I just couldn't continue to fight at that higher level," Rousey candidly admitted.
A Culture of Silence
Rousey also shed light on the pervasive culture of silence around neurological decline in contact sports. "As a fighter, you're not supposed to show any weakness or talk about things like that or the inevitable neurological decline that comes with taking headshots. A lot of people talk about it as if it's making excuses or weakness," she pointed out.
Her decision to speak openly about her neurological issues is not just a personal narrative; it opens a critical discourse on athlete health and safety. Rousey's story underscores the urgent need for better concussion management and support systems in contact sports. She believes that the invisible battles many athletes face need to be addressed more comprehensively.
Ronda Rousey's legacy in MMA is already etched in stone. A former Olympic bronze medalist, she has indisputably raised the profile of women's fighting in MMA. But her story doesn't end with her accolades; it extends into the realm of athlete advocacy. By sharing her experiences, she compels both fans and officials to rethink how athlete health is managed in sports where concussions are a common risk.
For now, the chapter of Ronda Rousey's career as an active fighter is conclusively closed. While fans may miss watching her dominance inside the cage, her influence continues beyond it. Rousey’s revelations have made her a compelling voice for better health protocols in sports, ensuring her legacy endures in a new and equally impactful way.