Ronda Rousey Clarifies Stance on MMA Return: “It’s Just Not Safe for Me”
Ronda Rousey, a name synonymous with women's mixed martial arts, has put an end to lingering discussions about her potential comeback to the sport. In a candid revelation, Rousey has cited irreversible neurological damage as the primary reason for her decision, underscoring the severe toll that her brutal profession took on her health.
“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,” Rousey explained. Her words paint a stark picture of the grueling realities behind her premature departure from MMA in 2016.
Rousey's meteoric rise in the sport, from her early days on the regional scene to her dominance in Strikeforce and the UFC, turned her into a mainstream star and a household name. Her influence was so profound that it even swayed UFC President Dana White to reconsider his stance on women’s participation in the UFC. However, despite her status and success, the damage inflicted over the years forced her to reconsider her career.
Neurological Decline and Early Symptoms
Rousey's struggles with neurological issues began at an alarmingly 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,” she revealed.
As her career progressed, these issues only worsened. Rousey admitted, “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.”
Rousey's narrative underscores a troubling culture of silence surrounding neurological decline in contact sports. “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. This implicit expectation to remain silent about injuries only exacerbates the problem, as athletes continue to compete despite significant health risks.
Accumulated Injuries and the Impact of MMA
Before her entry into MMA, Rousey had already endured countless concussions. “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,” Rousey shared. The transition to MMA, with its inherently brutal nature, only heightened her struggles. “Then it got to the point where I was fighting more often than anybody. I had more outside of fighting responsibilities than anybody, and it just got to be lighter and lighter hits were hurting me more and more and more.”
Rousey’s fears materialized in her last two fights when she suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. These defeats, coupled with a history of concussions, led her to abandon the sport.
The Lasting Legacy and Need for Change
Despite stepping away from MMA, Rousey's influence on the sport remains indelible. A former Olympic bronze medalist, she significantly raised the profile of women's fighting in MMA, opening doors for countless athletes. Her decision to speak openly about her neurological issues is a crucial step towards addressing the hidden battles many fighters endure.
Rousey believes that better concussion management and support systems are needed in contact sports. Her personal story compels a broader discussion about athlete health and safety, particularly in sports where head injuries are a common risk. Her candidness serves as a call to action for improved care and awareness, ensuring future athletes do not suffer in silence.
In conclusion, Ronda Rousey's decision to remain retired from MMA highlights the severe implications of untreated neurological injuries. Her revelations draw attention to an often-overlooked issue in contact sports and underline the need for systemic changes to safeguard athlete health. While fans may miss her presence in the octagon, her legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for athlete safety continues to make a lasting impact.