Ronda Rousey Clears the Air on Return to MMA
Ronda Rousey has made a definitive statement, putting to rest any speculation about a comeback to mixed martial arts. In a candid acceptance of her physical limits, she pointed to irreversible neurological damage as the main reason behind her decision.
Rousey's departure from MMA in 2016 left many fans yearning for her return. Yet, the former fighter has now revealed that the toll of competing at the highest level was too great for her to continue. "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," she explained.
Rousey's rapid ascent in the sport—moving from the regional scene to Strikeforce and then to the UFC—turned her into a mainstream star and household name. Her influence was so significant that UFC President Dana White reversed his stance on women’s participation in the UFC. Despite her groundbreaking success, the physical damage she sustained has had enduring consequences.
Neurological injuries, Rousey shared, have been a part of her life from a very young age. "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. 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 said.
As she transitioned into MMA, the situation only worsened. “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 noted. The high-paced, physically demanding nature of her career meant that even lighter hits began to have severe impacts. "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," she shared.
Her career in the octagon ended abruptly after two back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. It was then that Rousey fully realized the dangers she faced every time she stepped into the cage. Her symptoms grew so concerning that she decided to step away from the sport for good.
Rousey's experience underscores a larger issue within contact sports: the culture of silence surrounding neurological decline. “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 stated. She believes that this culture needs to change to better protect athletes. Her story is a compelling case for improved concussion management and support systems in sports.
Beyond her achievements in the ring, Rousey's transparency about her neurological issues brings much-needed attention to the invisible battles many athletes face. Her willingness to discuss these challenges opens critical discourse on athlete health and safety. "Rousey's candid revelations highlight that understanding and preventive measures are essential to sustain the health of athletes long after their names stop ringing through arenas," one might reflect.
As for her future in the sport, Rousey has made it clear. "It's nice to feel missed, I guess. But it's not happening." Fans and supporters must now accept that one of the icons of women's MMA will not be returning to the octagon. Ronda Rousey's legacy, however, will continue to inspire and provoke discussions that may lead to a safer environment for future generations of athletes.