Amid much speculation about her potential return to the octagon, Ronda Rousey has officially put an end to any rumors. In a candid reveal, Rousey openly discussed her career-shattering neurological issues that stemmed from years of physical trauma, dating back to her childhood.
"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 stated firmly.
Her ascent in the world of mixed martial arts was meteoric. From the regional scene, Rousey rocketed to prominence in Strikeforce and then solidified her legacy in the UFC. Her influence was so profound that it led UFC President Dana White to reconsider his stance on women's participation in the sport, making her a trailblazer and a household name.
However, Rousey’s journey was far from glittering behind the curtains. She opened up about the realities of her early departure from the sport in 2016, citing irreversible neurological damage as a critical reason. This damage had accumulated over years of high-impact judo and MMA practices.
Rousey detailed how her struggles began at a remarkably young age, tracing back to her days as a swimmer. "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 said.
As she moved on to MMA, these symptoms only worsened. "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. 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 admitted. This staggering confession sheds light on the physical toll experienced by professional fighters, often hidden from the public eye.
Rousey's outspoken revelations bring to light a critical yet often neglected issue in contact sports – the culture of silence around neurological decline. "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 said, addressing the stigma that surrounds speaking out about such issues in the sports community.
This disclosure has sparked important discussions about athlete health and safety. Rousey believes that better concussion management and support systems are imperative for the well-being of athletes in contact sports. Her interviews have underscored the invisible battles many athletes face, which often go unspoken.
Rousey’s narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices athletes make and the physical tolls they endure in the pursuit of their careers. As a former Olympic bronze medalist and an icon in women’s MMA, her impact on the sport is undeniable. Rousey’s decision to step away from fighting after back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes is not just a mark of personal choice but an important testament to her prioritizing health over fame.
Her story underlines the need for the sports industry to evolve in terms of health protocols and support systems. Rousey’s experience pushes for a critical narrative shift, urging those in the sporting world to take profound neurological concerns more seriously.
While fans may miss seeing her in the octagon, Rousey's courage in addressing her neurological decline openly may well lead to significant advancements in athlete safety and concussion management. "It's nice to feel missed, I guess," Rousey concluded, "But it's not happening." Her fight continues off the ring, advocating for a safer and healthier environment for future athletes.