Nearly a decade after her last MMA fight, Ronda Rousey returns to combat sports this Saturday under Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions banner, facing Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome near Los Angeles. The event streams live on Netflix.
Revealing Hidden Struggles
In a recent interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” the former UFC bantamweight champion discussed the neurological issues that plagued her final fights. Rousey admitted that her 2015 loss to Holly Holm was worsened by severe migraine aura, leaving her unable to see or think clearly during the bout. 'I was dealing with these neurological issues for such a long time... It just finally came to a head in that fight,' she said.
Rousey noted that invisible injuries are often dismissed, saying, 'There's a lot of people that think I'm making it up or don't believe me.' She credited UFC CEO Dana White for sending her to the Cleveland Clinic, where she received a proper diagnosis and treatment. 'It was completely life-changing,' she added.
A Career-Defining Path
The 39-year-old pioneer helped elevate women's MMA, becoming the UFC's first female champion. After losing to Holm and later Amanda Nunes, she retired, feeling misunderstood. 'I just thought I would be forever misunderstood and only known for those performances,' Rousey reflected.
Despite the difficult ending, Rousey sees purpose in her journey. 'Everything happens for a reason the exact way that it's meant to go,' she stated. She believes her unretired record was necessary for the sport's growth, noting that her return helps create real competition for the UFC. 'MVP and Netflix are coming in as a real rival to the UFC that they so desperately need,' she said.
One Final Walk
Rousey has promised her husband, Travis Browne, that Saturday's fight will be her last. She hopes to expand her family but remains open to influencing MMA from a leadership role. 'I could be the most powerful figure in the sport since Dana,' she mused. 'I love being the designated b... I had to go through those things to get to this point where I am now.'