5 Things you didn't know about Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey will team up with Kurt Angle to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Ronda Rousey will team up with Kurt Angle to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon

Ronda Rousey's WWE career didn't get off to the hottest of starts but it's clear that WWE has big plans for the former UFC Bantamweight Champion. And, if the Spinebuster on Triple H is anything to go by, Ronda shouldn't have any problems inside the ring.


5: Top level athlete

A decorated judoka and a former Olympic Bronze Medallist at the 2008 Beijing Games, Rousey transitioned into Mixed Martial Arts in 2010, winning her amateur debut in 23 seconds with her trademark armbar. Rousey made her pro debut at King of the Cage: Turning Point, winning her fight in 25 seconds with the armbar.

Rousey made her Strikeforce debut in 2011, winning the fight with a technical submission early in the first round. She won the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship in 2012 from Meisha Tate.

In November 2012, Rousey signed with the UFC, making her the first ever female fighter to sign for the promotion. The UFC built their women's Bantamweight division around her and crowned her the first UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion.

Rousey won her first six title defences in 1077 seconds combined and helped her transcend into the mainstream.

In her seventh title defence, Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm and this was the beginning of a rocky period for her. After a year away, Rousey returned to face Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Unable to deal with Nunes' striking game, Rousey lost by TKO just 48 seconds into the first round.

Despite her MMA career not ending as well as she would have liked, it's impossible to argue against the fact that Rousey is a gifted and accomplished athlete. How can you argue with a Bronze medal in the Olympics?

4: She used to be a vegan

UFC 207 Nunes v Rousey
UFC 207 Nunes v Rousey

Believe it or not, Ronda Rousey used to be a vegan. She adopted the vegan lifestyle soon after winning her Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Rousey has stated that her vegan lifestyle had no effect on her MMA training.

Her vegan days are now behind her and she now says that she's on a "warrior diet" that's high in protein and filled with eggs, meat and fish.

3: "Rowdy"

WWE Mae Young Classic
Rousey at the Mae Young Classic

It's no secret that WWE's newest signing is a WWE superfan. According to Rousey, her friends originally gave her the nickname but once she began to make a name for herself in MMA, she refused to use it, thinking that it would be disrespectful to the late great Rowdy Roddy Piper.

However, Hot Rod himself allowed Rousey to use the nickname after the two met.

2: Obsessed with Pokemon

WWE Mae Young Classic
WWE Mae Young Classic

Like many of us who grew up in the 90's, Ronda Rousey is a huge fan of Pokemon. She has said that her obsession started with trading cards.

She recently spoke to Metro UK and commented on WWE starts and their Pokemon counterparts:

I think Kurt Angle would be Throh. I would say that Stephanie McMahon would be more like Kangaskhan. She’s a mom, but she’s super kick-ass too. And just because it matches up with Kangaskhan so much, I would say that Triple H is more like Rhydon, they kinda match. Actually, no, no no! Stephanie and Triple H are Nidoking and Nidoqueen, that’s what they are.

1: Original career plans

UFC 184: Rousey v Zingano
UFC 184: Rousey v Zingano

Ronda Rousey didn't always think of a future career as a pro wrestler or pro-MMA fighter. Her original career plan was to join the Coast Guard.

When Rousey first started her MMA training, she was debating whether to alter her career path to become a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard. After a visit to their base, the Coast Guard tried to fast track her to rescue swim school. However, she chose to stick with MMA instead and the rest is history.


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