Ronda Rousey Dismisses MMA Return Amid Neurological Concerns
Ronda Rousey, a name synonymous with women's mixed martial arts, has officially put to rest any speculation about her return to the sport. The former UFC champion recently revealed that she is neurologically unfit to compete at the highest level, shedding light on the grim realities that have prompted her to stay away from the octagon since her early departure in 2016.
"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, summarizing her decision to stay retired.
Rousey's rapid ascent from the regional scene to becoming a mainstream star in Strikeforce and UFC is legendary. Her meteoric rise and dominant performances forced UFC President Dana White to reconsider the inclusion of women in the UFC. Rousey's influence raised the profile of women's fighting in MMA significantly, making her a household name.
However, behind the exhilarating knockout wins and title defenses, Rousey grappled with severe neurological issues. "I got to a point where I couldn't take a jab without getting dazed, without getting concussion symptoms. It just got to a point where it wasn't safe for me to fight anymore. I just couldn't continue to fight at that higher level," she elaborated.
Rousey's struggle with concussions began long before she entered the octagon. Remarkably, she started experiencing these symptoms as early as six years old due to her participation in swimming. "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," Rousey recounted.
The concussions continued as Rousey transitioned to judo, where she faced head injuries multiple times a year. Despite this, she was not allowed to speak up about her condition. "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.
Her entry into mixed martial arts only compounded the issue. "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," Rousey admitted.
The cumulative effect of these injuries became increasingly evident as lighter and lighter hits began causing more significant harm. "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 explained.
Her frank discussion about the neurological decline she faced underscores a pervasive issue in contact sports—one that is often left unspoken. "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," Rousey said, highlighting the culture of silence surrounding concussion concerns.
Rousey's honesty opens up critical dialogue about the health and safety of athletes, particularly those in sports where concussions are an inherent risk. Her story highlights the need for better concussion management and support systems to protect athlete well-being.
While she will not be returning to the octagon, Rousey's influence on the sport and her candid revelations about neurological issues make her a pivotal figure in the ongoing discussions about athlete health, safety, and the often invisible battles that many athletes face. As she steps away from the sport, the legacy she leaves goes beyond her accomplishments inside the cage—it’s one that brings much-needed attention to the long-term effects of head injuries and the importance of prioritizing athlete health above all.