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Ronda Rousey, once a trailblazer for women in mixed martial arts, has officially shut down any hope of a return to the UFC. Even though her name still pops up when major UFC events are being planned—like the highly anticipated UFC 300—Rousey has made it clear that her fighting days are over. While fans may dream of a comeback, the former bantamweight champion says those dreams are just that—dreams.
“Every couple of years, the same rumor comes out,” Rousey shared on the Insight podcast. “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.”
Her words left no room for speculation, silencing any talk of a return to the octagon. Rousey’s last UFC appearance was almost eight years ago, but she remains one of the most iconic figures in the sport. Reflecting on her decision to retire, Rousey admitted that it wasn’t just a choice; it was a necessity. Years of fighting, both in judo and MMA, had taken their toll.
“You just get to a level where the neurological injuries you take accumulate over time. They don’t get better,” she explained.
The turning point for Rousey came during the latter stages of her MMA career. Her first professional loss in 2015, a brutal knockout by Holly Holm, cost her the UFC bantamweight title.
“It was really tough, and I think that’s why I took that first loss so hard,” Rousey confessed.“Because I knew it was over. I knew I’d reached that limit.”
Despite a year away from the cage, Rousey returned only to face another swift defeat at the hands of Amanda Nunes, lasting just 48 seconds. Looking back, she admits that the loss to Holm should have been her last fight.
“When I got into MMA, I had already had dozens of concussions that I trained through,” Rousey revealed. “I got to a point where I couldn’t take a jab without getting dazed, without getting concussion symptoms. It just wasn’t safe for me to fight anymore.”
These neurological issues followed Rousey into her post-MMA career in professional wrestling. As she promoted her autobiography, she shared how her lifelong battle with concussions had started in childhood. Despite her love for competition, she knew she had to walk away to preserve her health and well-being. Rousey’s decision wasn’t just about her own future; it was about setting an example for the next generation of fighters.
“I just felt it was my responsibility to age gracefully because I’m a representative of my sport,” she explained. “If I’m rolling around in a wheelchair, people aren’t going to let their little girls go and do it.”
Rousey understood the power of her platform and the importance of showing that strength sometimes means knowing when to step away.
“Everyone loves to see you fight when you’re in the cage, but none of those people are going to be there for you down the line,” Rousey said candidly.
Her focus now is on her family, including her husband, former UFC fighter Travis Browne, and their children. She’s embraced life away from the spotlight, knowing that her legacy in the octagon remains secure.
Rousey’s story is a powerful reminder of the physical and emotional demands of combat sports. While fans may always hope for a comeback, Ronda Rousey is choosing a different path, one that prioritizes her long-term health and happiness.
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