Ronda Rousey Opens Up About Concussion Before UFC 193 Fight Against Holly Holm

Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm during UFC 193

In a candid interview with Valeria Lipovetsky, former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey revealed shocking details about her concussion history and how it affected her iconic fight against Holly Holm at UFC 193. Rousey's revelations shed light on the challenges athletes face and the toll it takes on their careers and mental well-being.

Rousey's admission of being concussed before the Holm fight adds a new layer of understanding to the bout's outcome. She confessed, 

"My mouthguard was bad. I literally came into that fight concussed from slipping down some stairs already after all these years of concussions." 

This admission speaks volumes about the physical and mental hurdles Rousey faced leading up to the fight, where she ultimately suffered a devastating head kick from Holm, ending the fight in the second round.

The interview also delved into Rousey's struggles with concussions throughout her career, spanning from her judo days to her time in MMA and WWE. She highlighted the pressure to perform despite neurological damage and the toll it took on her cognitive abilities. Rousey's candidness about her experiences with concussions provides a sobering reminder of the risks athletes face in combat sports and the importance of prioritizing their long-term health.

Furthermore, Rousey expressed her disillusionment with fans and media after her losses, particularly citing the backlash she faced after her defeat against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. She shared, 

"I know that I’m the greatest fighter that has ever lived. But when it got to a point where I’d just taken so much neurological damage that I couldn’t take it anymore, suddenly everything that I accomplished meant nothing." 

This introspective look into Rousey's mindset sheds light on the emotional toll of a high-profile career in combat sports.

The interview also touches on the complexities of athlete oversight by regulatory bodies like athletic commissions. Rousey's decision not to disclose her concussion history before fights raise questions about the adequacy of pre-fight medical evaluations and the challenges athletes face in balancing transparency with career goals.

Ronda Rousey's interview with Valeria Lipovetsky provides a raw and introspective look into the challenges faced by elite athletes, the impact of concussions on performance, and the complexities of athlete well-being in combat sports.