Ronda Rousey, in her prime UFC days, was a global superstar. She single-handedly revolutionized women’s fighting and made it more popular than ever. She, along with Conor McGregor, brought in millions of revenues to the UFC. However, her downfall was shocking, and Dana White appears to have a theory.
Dana White recently sat down with Shannon Sharpe on his YouTube show and the pair talked about Ronda Rousey. During the conversation, White revealed that it was inevitable for Rousey to lose as every other woman fighter in the world targeted her.
This thing being women fighting. She put it on the world stage at a level that nobody else could have done it. While she was doing what she was doing, building the sport and the UFC and women, all these other women were training to beat her. It was literally impossible for her to keep growing as a fighter during that period.
Dana White via Club Shay Shay YouTube channel
In 2011, Dana White infamously mentioned that no women would fight in the UFC. However, Ronda Rousey shattered all the boundaries and became the first woman bantamweight champion in 2012. She later defended her title a record six times and was looking unstoppable.
However, Rousey’s downfall happened almost as fast as her ascent to prominence. After a devastating knockout loss to Holly Holm, Rousey was never seen in the UFC again until a quick finish against Amanda Nunes almost 13 months later. While Dana White has his own views about Rousey’s loss, it doesn’t seem to impress Ariel Helwani, who thinks otherwise.
Ronda Rousey was an Olympic 2008 bronze medalist in judo and had an incredible ground game. Her iconic armbar submission was a threat to everybody she faced. Throughout her MMA career, she submitted nine opponents through the arm bar. However, she suffered when she came against technical strikers such as Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
Ariel Helwani shares different opinions than Dana White on the Ronda Rousey comment (via New York Post/beIN SPORTS)
This is exactly what popular reporter Ariel Helwani mentioned in his recent tweet contradicting Dana White. According to Helwani, Rousey had a great run during her prime, which helped the sport to grow. Helwani then revealed that after all her success, she lost to better fighters than her in quick succession.
By this logic no superstar athlete could be successful for more than 3 years. The revisionist history on Ronda’s MMA departure is getting a little wacky. It’s not that complicated. She was incredible. A megastar. She helped opened the door to a whole new generation of fighters. And then she lost to a better fighter. And then another. And then retired. It happens.
Ariel Helwani via X
By this logic no superstar athlete could be successful for more than 3 years.
The revisionist history on Ronda’s MMA departure is getting a little wacky.
It’s not that complicated. She was incredible. A megastar. She helped opened the door to a whole new generation of fighters.… https://t.co/D5EnrvM5I5
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 20, 2024
Although Rousey was eventually inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, she has publicly acknowledged that, ever since quitting, she has had a tense relationship with the sport. In fact, Rousey stated that she hasn’t gone to a UFC event since she was defeated by Nunes in 2016, primarily because of the negative reactions she is certain to encounter. Irrespective of all this, she will still be remembered as a legend of the sport.
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