Ronda Rousey hasn’t fought in MMA since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016.
She went on to make the transition into pro wrestling and worked for WWE from 2018-2022 through two different runs. Rousey did an interview with Never Before Told. Here are the highlights:
On her MMA retirement:
“Another would be my concussion history, that I had to keep secret for years so that I would be able to continue to compete and perform, and basically, why I had to retire.”
On her concussion history:
There is so much to it that I couldn’t talk about it in the form of an interview or an article or anything like that, or there would be several filters between my words and people reading it. So much of it had to do with having so many concussions when I was in judo before I even got into MMA. I couldn’t talk about it at all when I got into MMA because it would literally put a target on my head and I might not have been allowed to compete any further. Same thing with WWE. They have a complicated history with their performers getting concussions, so it would be a bad look on them. I really felt like I couldn’t talk about it at all. This long form, I felt it was the only way I could adequately address it.”
Ronda Rousey, the former MMA fighter turned professional wrestler, recently opened up about her retirement from mixed martial arts and the reasons behind it. In an interview with Never Before Told, Rousey revealed that her decision to retire was influenced by her concussion history and the need to keep it a secret for years.
Rousey’s last fight in MMA was against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. After that, she made the transition to pro wrestling and worked for WWE from 2018 to 2022. During her time in WWE, Rousey became one of the biggest stars in the industry and had two successful runs with the company.
In the interview, Rousey discussed her concussion history and the impact it had on her career. She explained that she had suffered numerous concussions during her time in judo before even entering the world of MMA. However, she couldn’t talk about it openly during her MMA career because it could have jeopardized her ability to compete further.
The same concern applied to her time in WWE, as the company has had a complicated history with performers getting concussions. Rousey felt that discussing her concussion history would reflect poorly on WWE, so she chose to keep it a secret. She believed that speaking about it in an interview or article would involve several filters between her words and the readers, making it difficult to convey the full extent of her experiences.
Rousey emphasized that her decision to address her concussion history in a long-form interview was necessary to adequately explain the reasons behind her retirement. By doing so, she hoped to shed light on the challenges she faced and raise awareness about the importance of concussion management in combat sports.
Concussions are a significant concern in combat sports like MMA and professional wrestling. These sports involve intense physical contact and carry a risk of head injuries. Athletes who suffer concussions may experience long-term effects on their cognitive abilities and overall health.
Rousey’s revelation about her concussion history highlights the need for improved protocols and support systems for athletes in combat sports. It also underscores the importance of open dialogue and education surrounding concussions, ensuring that athletes can make informed decisions about their careers and prioritize their long-term well-being.
As Rousey continues to pursue her career in professional wrestling, her story serves as a reminder of the physical and mental challenges that athletes face. It also highlights the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles and find success in different arenas.
In conclusion, Ronda Rousey’s interview sheds light on her retirement from MMA and the role her concussion history played in that decision. Her candidness about the challenges she faced underscores the need for improved concussion management in combat sports and emphasizes the importance of athlete well-being. As Rousey continues to make her mark in professional wrestling, her story serves as an inspiration to athletes everywhere.