Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is one of a kind. She was the spearhead of female combat sports athletes of the current era. She was a part of the first-ever female fight in the promotion at UFC 157. Moreover, she was the winner of UFC’s inaugural female bantamweight championship. However, her earlier days in combat sports were full of challenges and setbacks. Back when she sat down for an interview with the HBO boxing team, she reveals her negative experience as an Olympic athlete. Rousey competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a judoka, but she argues that the experience was not as rewarding as it may seem from the outside.

‘Rowdy’ once held the record for the most title defenses by and female MMA athlete with six title defenses. However, the record is now broken by Valentina Shevchenko, the current UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion.

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Moreover, she has a stellar record of six wins and two losses inside the octagon. Both her losses came in her penultimate and the ultimate fight of her UFC career. Where she lost against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes respectively, before bowing out of the organization.

Back when Ronda Rousey shared her issues with the Olympics

One issue that Rousey raises is how Olympics uses the funds they have been raising. Despite the massive amounts of money that they generate through sponsorships, ticket sales, and broadcasting rights, many athletes struggle to make a living. Rousey argues that the athletes who put in all the hard work and sacrifice to reach the Olympic level deserve a fair share of the rewards.

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She said, “Where does all that money go? Where does it all go? It doesn’t go to us. I feel like like a lot of American athletes end up putting in all the work. While a lot of other people reap all the benefits.“

Another problem that Rousey highlights is the lack of support that athletes receive. She explains how athletes go to school, train from an early age, and sacrifice a lot to reach the level of competition required to qualify for the Olympics. However, once they get there, they often find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Rousey argues that more needs to be done to ensure that athletes are paid fairly and given the support they need to succeed.

Rousey talks about her childhood dream

‘Rowdy’ pursued the Olympic dream for much of her life. Moreover, she had to come to terms with the fact that it was not for her. This experience has provided her with a never-ending source of motivation. Because she sees each defense of her UFC title as a chance to redeem herself.

She said, “That was my childhood dream.”

Rousey also notes that the pressure of competing in the Olympics is unmatched. Furthermore, judokas train their whole lives for one day to potentially become an Olympic champion.