The Rise & Fall of the “Rowdy” One: What’s the Legacy of Ronda Rousey?

After another crushing loss, PWP Nation Editor-in-Chief Eron Ramadanov examines the rise and the ultimate fall of “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. 

With fame comes pressure. It can be argued that no one in UFC history has felt more pressure than Ronda Rousey.

For every dramatic and historic win the “Rowdy” one racked up against worthy opponents, another level of pressure was placed on her shoulders. At UFC 207, Ronda Rousey’s storied career appeared to have come to a bitter and tragic end, after losing to the reigning UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes via TKO in 48 seconds of the first round.

It’s no secret that Rousey ripped through the Women’s Bantamweight division with ease and it appeared at the time that Ronda was absolutely invincible. Winning fight after fight in flashier methods, Ronda Rousey not only become the most popular fighter in the UFC, she become the most popular athlete in sports and pop culture. Whether you’re a stock broker on Wall Street or a construction worker or mother of three children, you know exactly who Ronda Rousey is.

She has moved from well-known athlete into pop culture icon.

Rousey’s rise to fame is something that can never really be duplicated. There will be fighters and athletes that have similar stories and paths to greatness, but Ronda Rousey’s story is unique and once-in-a-lifetime.

So, with two straight loses in crushing fashion, there are two questions I walked away from UFC 207 with:

1. What is Ronda Rousey’s legacy?
2. What is next for her?

As I made my way to my car after leaving a fine establishment with some long-time friends and fellow MMA fans, these two questions swirled around in my head on the ride home. Let’s tackle one at a time.

The conclusion I came to is that Ronda Rousey’s legacy will be split up into two parts. The first part will be a story of an woman athlete who took her sport to heights many thought it could never go. Before Ronda Rousey, the women of UFC were treated like they belonged and could never get out of the undercard. Not only did Ronda put women’s MMA on the map, she transcended it. She changed it forever. Her run through the division not only made headlines, it grabbed people’s attention and would not let go. In the middle of RondaMania, she was America’s ass-kicking, homegrown sweetheart who could virtually do no wrong and most people truly loved her.

The second part of her legacy will be viewed as a huge disappointment. Not only for her two stunning and embarrassing losses, but the way she handled them. I don’t like to tell people how to grieve. You really can’t do that. Everyone handles defeat in different ways. But just because I can’t tell you how to grieve, doesn’t mean I can’t tell you how NOT to grieve. Many hardcore fans of MMA and the UFC have criticized Rousey for being a “sore loser.”

After her loss to Holm, Rousey disappeared and fans took that as an abandonment and a slap in the face. People were angry about the way she handled her loss and how she didn’t really take it on the chin. Also, many criticized the former champion’s appearance on the hit daytime television show, “Ellen,” where she admitted to having thoughts about suicide following her loss to Holm. Fans viewed that as a way for Rousey to gain sympathy and once again running away from her defeat.

Additionally, even hours after the loss to Nunes, fans and viewers slammed Ronda for leaving the octagon immediately after the official decision was read. Spectators viewed Ronda to be taking her ball (or her $3 million purse) and going home [again].

What’s next for Ronda Rousey?

Before Ronda Rousey even thinks about picking up another pair of gloves, she needs to do something very important. She must attempt to rehab her personal demons. From what has been said by past coaches and people close to her, she does battle with some serious insecurities and hurtles, which need to be taken care of before she does anything else. Not only for her future fighting career (or lack there of), but for herself. It’s incredibly sad to see someone fall this hard and wonder if they’re going to get back up again.

As for what’s next, Ronda has expressed an interest in film, movies and TV. I’m not sure how in-demand she’ll be after losing two straight fights, but if that’s something she wants to pursue, more power to her. Another obvious choice would have to be professional wrestling. It would be stupid not to think about it. As a more wrestling-based website, I have to talk about this on some level. I think Rousey would be perfect for WWE. She has all the tools to be a great performer in the Women’s division and I think there are a ton of chances for her in World Wrestling Entertainment. We’ll see if either side is interested.

If I had to make a prediction, I don’t think we’ll see Ronda Rousey in an octagon again. That’s the sad truth. Personally, I’ll miss the hype and thrilling build to a Ronda fight. She is truly one-of-a-kind in my eyes and there will never be another like her.

People will think what they want too. Personally, as a fan of Ronda Rousey’s career and body of work, I choose to remember her as the person who had zero fear and advanced women’s MMA (and Mixed Martial Arts in general) decades with her showmanship and her level of popularity. Rousey’s skills during her prime were virtually unmatched and no one could hold a candle to her in that caged ring. She walked the walk and talked the talk at every pass and I applaud her for that. I admire her level of dedication and courage to come back and fight a tough, gritty, world-class fighter like Amanda Nunes. Could she have handled her losses better? Absolutely. But does that take away from the spectale that was and is “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey? Absolutely not. She is an inspiration to little girls, women and even men all over the world and she deserves to be appreciated for that.

Ronda Rousey proved to me time and time again that she’s not only a warrior in and outside of the octagon, but she’s a true ultimate fighter and always will be.

Thank you, Ronda Rousey.

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