Ronda Rousey: The Fighter Who Forced the UFC to Embrace Women’s MMA
Ronda Rousey wasn’t just a fighter; she was a phenomenon who shattered barriers and blazed a trail for women in a sport that had long been dominated by men. With her Olympic pedigree and undeniable charisma, Rousey brought women’s MMA into the spotlight, compelling the UFC to open its doors to female fighters—a move that many, including UFC President Dana White, never saw coming.
Before Rousey entered the octagon, women’s MMA was teetering on the brink of obscurity. The division, though featuring standout athletes like Cris Cyborg and Gina Carano, struggled for mainstream recognition. Rousey’s rise to fame in Strikeforce, where she gained notoriety for her intense rivalry with Miesha Tate, was pivotal. When Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, acquired Strikeforce, Rousey seized the moment to ensure that women’s fights wouldn’t just survive—they would thrive.
A Fragile Moment in MMA History
In a candid interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rousey reflected on the fragile state of women’s MMA before her ascent. “People forget how fragile that situation was and how last-minute I was able to get us in,” she began, underscoring the uncertainty that loomed over the sport at the time. Strikeforce had been a rare bastion for women fighters, largely thanks to Gina Carano’s influence and her father’s ties with the Nevada Athletic Commission, which helped sanction her bouts.
But when Carano left, the spotlight dimmed, and the division began to falter. “When she was gone, Cris Cyborg’s pumped to the f*cking gills with steroids. No one wants to watch that cheating ass bitch. Everything just tanked. The division was dying,” Rousey stated bluntly. Her disdain for Cyborg was palpable, reflecting a rivalry that extended beyond the cage.
The Fight to Save Women’s MMA
As the UFC absorbed Strikeforce, many assumed that the women’s division would be dissolved, as had happened with other acquisitions like PRIDE and WEC. Rousey knew she had a limited window to make her mark and ensure that women’s MMA wouldn’t be consigned to history. “There was a matter of time… before they closed the whole thing and there would be nowhere that would showcase women’s MMA,” she recalled.
Rousey’s strategy was relentless. She made sure Dana White couldn’t escape her presence, whether through her dominance in the cage or her outspoken personality. Her efforts culminated in White famously reversing his stance on women in the UFC, paving the way for the first-ever women’s bout in the promotion—headlined, of course, by Ronda Rousey.
Rousey’s Legacy: Beyond the Octagon
Rousey’s impact on the sport is undeniable. Her rapid finishes, often within the first round, captivated audiences and demonstrated that women’s MMA wasn’t just a novelty—it was a thrilling, integral part of the sport. Even after transitioning to WWE, Rousey’s legacy in the UFC remains intact, with many viewing her as the catalyst that brought women’s MMA to the forefront.
Her rivalry with Cris Cyborg, however, remains a contentious chapter in her career. Despite Cyborg’s accolades and status as one of the greatest female fighters of all time, Rousey’s disdain for her, rooted in allegations of steroid use, continues to color her view of the Brazilian fighter.
As Rousey continues to break barriers outside the octagon, her influence within it is still felt, with every woman who steps into the UFC cage owing a debt to the fighter who refused to let the sport shut them out.
