To understand the context of Ronda Rousey's departure from MMA in 2016, one must recall her rapid fall from grace. Initially, she was an undefeated champion who brought women's MMA into the UFC spotlight. After knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, she faced widespread mockery and retreated from the sport, seemingly abandoning her career.
However, Rousey recently explained on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that her exit was compelled by an undiagnosed neurological condition. She described suffering from migraine auras during the Holm fight, which impaired her vision and cognitive abilities. This, she claims, made her performances worse than her actual skill level.
Against Nunes, the same issues recurred, leading to a second consecutive defeat. Rousey expressed frustration that her fighting IQ was judged based on these impaired performances, knowing she couldn't return to rectify the perception. Since then, treatment at the Cleveland Clinic has helped her manage the condition, allowing a transition to WWE and a scheduled MMA return against Gina Carano.
The question remains whether fans were too harsh on Rousey's legacy. Many fighters have excuses after losses, and Rousey's explanation may face skepticism. Yet, unlike others who fought too long, Rousey quit early, which is often praised. Her abrupt exit and past brashness may have hurt her legacy, but her impact on women's MMA and the UFC is undeniable.
As she prepares for a comeback, there is growing recognition that Rousey should be remembered for her peak achievements rather than her final struggles. She was a transformative figure in the sport, and her story may deserve a kinder retrospective.