Ronda Rousey is unarguably one of the most influential fighters in UFC history, which is why it remains puzzling why she has avoided the promotion’s events since retiring. Since leaving the sport in 2016, ‘Rowdy’ has been largely absent from the MMA scene aside from her Hall of Fame induction in 2018.
In the years following her final walk to the Octagon, Rousey has been open with her thoughts on her career through interviews and published autobiographies.
Ronda Rousey Gives Her Reason for Avoiding UFC Events
Ronda Rousey says she hasn’t attended a UFC event in fear of getting booed by fans 😬 pic.twitter.com/D9rGTIjlSw
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 26, 2024
Eight years after the end of her UFC career, Ronda Rousey has been vocal in her reflection on her years as a fighter. In a recent interview with High Performance, the former women’s bantamweight champion detailed her unceremonious exit from the promotion and thoughts on why she does not feel welcome back.
Rousey said:
“Everything that could be said that was negative [about me] was said. I feel really vilified by MMA media at this point. I’m not really welcome back which is why I haven’t gone to a UFC fight since I’m pretty sure if I walked into an arena I’d be booed.”
Throughout the interview, Rousey got emotional and passionate at points but mostly appeared dejected while reminiscing.
At the apex of her career, Rousey was almost single-handedly the reason that Dana White added a women’s division into the UFC. After becoming the Strikeforce bantamweight champion, Rousey became the first female titleholder in the UFC in 2013 in the first-ever female fight in the promotion.
However, since being on the unfortunate side of the biggest upset in women’s MMA history, Rousey has been criticized by fans and media for her handling of defeat. After losing her title and undefeated record to Holly Holm at UFC 193, Rousey would go radio silent before returning the following year and suffering a second loss to Amanda Nunes.
The loss to Nunes essentially caused the end of Rousey’s career at just 29 years old with consecutive knockout losses. The judoka has recently gone public with claiming concussions were the ultimate reason she hung up the gloves.
What is Ronda Rousey doing now?
Ronda Rousey has not fought in MMA since 2016 but has stayed busy in her life over the last decade. Though no longer competing in combat sports, the former Olympic gold medalist has gone through a myriad of potential new career options since leaving her days as a fighter behind.
Following her exit from the UFC, Rousey briefly attempted to continue a career in combat sports with the WWE. She briefly found success but ended her tenure prematurely by criticizing former CEO Vince McMahon. Rousey left the WWE in early 2023 but returned to the fictional ring later in the year and did not make an appearance in 2024.
Rousey has also attempted to start a career in acting, most notably being cast in Furious 7, Mile 22 and the television series 9-1-1. She last appeared on screen as the 9-1-1 character ‘Lena Bosko’ in 2019.
Most of her post-fighting career has been unstable but the one consistent part of her life has been her family and their farm, Browsey Acres. Opening in California shortly after her retirement, Rousey co-owns Browsey Acres with her husband and fellow former UFC fighter, Travis Browne.
While Rousey is currently busy promoting the release of her recent novel, she is still a consistent part of Browsey Acres’ daily operations and resides in California with Browne and her children.
About the Author
Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst. Follow on X/Twitter at @jarenkawada1.
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