- Ronda Rousey is a former judoka and mixed martial artist who is best known for her time with UFC.
- The former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand.
- She began her wrestling career in 2018 and made her debut at Wrestlemania 34.
Ronda Rousey journey in MMA played a significant role in bringing female mixed martial arts to a mainstream audience.
Ronda Rousey is a former Women’s Bantamweight champion in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the first female to win a UFC title and also the first female to be a UFC hall of famer.
Ronda Rousey journey. Photo/ USA Today’s FTW.
The 35-year-old has a mixed martial arts record of 12-2 (3 KO’s). Ronda retired from MMA in 2016, leaving behind a greater legacy.
Ronda Rousey journey continued in professional wrestling after she joined WWE in 2018. She is currently one of the best female wrestlers in the wrestling promotion.
The American international is the first woman to be a champion in both the UFC and WWE.
MMA Career
According to Ronda’s trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan, Ronda started her MMA career in the 145 lb division since she had to make weight at short notice.
Ronda Rousey made her mixed martial arts debut on August 6, 2010, as an amateur. Ronda, who was by then 23, defeated Hayden Munoz by submission after 23 seconds into the fight.
She turned pro after three fights as an amateur and made her professional mixed martial arts debut on March 27, 2011.
Ronda faced kickboxing champion Charmaine Tweet in her next match and submitted her with an armbar in 49 seconds.
Ronda made her Strikeforce debut against Sarah D’lelio on the Strikeforce Challengers on August 12, 2011. She won the fight by technical submission due to an armbar in the first round.
The talented MMA star developed a much-publicized rivalry with Miesha Tate, who was the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion by then.
Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey had a bout for the Strikeforce title on March 3, 2012. Ronda won the fight by submission in the first round and became the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
Rousey became the first woman to sign with UFC in November 2012 and the first UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
Ronda made her first title defense against Liz Carmouche on February 23, 2013. Ronda won the fight in the first round despite Liz dislocating her jaw.
She successfully defended her title six times and lost it during the seventh attempt while facing Holly Holm in the main event at UFC 193.
Ronda spent over a year from the sport and made her return against Amanda Nunes on December 30, 2016. She lost the fight in the first round by TKO and subsequently retired from MMA.
But Ronda Rousey journey did not stop there.
WWE Career
Ronda Rousey signed with WWE in 2017 and joined the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where she trained.
The American international made her in-ring debut at Wrestlemania 34 on April 8. She teamed with Kurt Angle and fought against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.
Ronda Rousey in the ring with Triple H. Photo/ YouTube.
Rousey won the fight for her team after submitting McMahon with her trademark armbar submission.
The talented WWE superstar challenged Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on June 17.
After Alexa Bliss attacked her and Nia Jax in the ring, Ronda won the fight by disqualification. Alexa cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to win the title.
Two months later, Ronda started feuding with Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship. Ronda faced Alexa at SummerSlam on August 19, defeating her to win the title.
The Raw Women’s champion would later defend her title against Mickie James, Nia Jax, Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley.
Ronda faced Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women’s champion) in a winner takes all match on Wrestlemania 35.
Becky Lynch pinned both Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair to win the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championship titles.
Apart from losing her title, Ronda also suffered her first defeat in WWE. Her reign as Raw Women’s champion lasted for 231 days.
Ronda Rousey entered the Royal Rumble Women’s match at number 28 and won by last eliminating Charlotte Flair. The victory on January 29, 2022, earned her a championship match at Wrestlemania 38.
Rousey made her first appearance on the SmackDown brand on the February 4 episode. She chose to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship on February 19.
Ronda won the fight and held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for a few weeks before losing it again to Charlotte Flair.
She later defeated Charlotte and won the title before losing it to Liv Morgan 55 days later.
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