Ronda Rousey, the ex-women’s bantamweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer, has opted to steer clear of UFC events in the future. Following some significant losses, including a defeat from Holly Holm with a headkick KO and a quick loss to Amanda Nunes, Rousey vanished from the public view. She made a comeback two years later in the WWE, citing negative reactions and critiques from the MMA media as the reasons behind her exit from the sport.
In a recent episode of the High Performance podcast, Rousey revealed that she felt targeted by the MMA media and expected to receive boos if she showed up at a UFC event. The complex relationship between fighters and fans can sometimes turn toxic, leaving Rousey feeling unwelcome in the MMA world despite her past achievements. While some media praised her success in the octagon, others dwelled on her losses and subsequent retreat from the limelight.
Despite the likelihood of facing a critical audience, Rousey is urged to embrace both the admiration and disapproval in the sport. Just as controversial figures like Donald Trump have experienced boos at UFC events but eventually won acceptance, Rousey might witness a similar shift if she reenters the MMA scene with an open mindset.
