Hollywood’s Highest Paid Actor, Who Knocked Off Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson for It in 2017, Once Gave Ronda Rousey ‘Michael Jordan’ Honor

Published 08/06/2022, 11:00 AM EDT

Ronda Rousey saw the peak of her career ahead of her 7th 135 lbs UFC title defense. The Olympian Judoka was getting offers from Hollywood. Experts in the MMA industry were singing her praises. And little girls watching her dominate her opponents inside the Octagon were looking at her as their idol. Amid all the attention, she received a major ‘Michael Jordan’ compliment from a Hollywood star, who also gave a reason behind it.

Ahead of the mega spectacle at UFC 193, the Academy Award-nominated actor, Mark Wahlberg praised his co-star & the then women’s bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey.

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Wahlberg pointed out how the ‘Baddest Woman on the Planet’ changed UFC President Dana White‘s mind about WMMA. Thus, the Mile 22 star (h/t Boston) “She’s the Michael Jordan of her sport. She’s got that heart of a lion… She basically transcended the sport.”

‘His Airness’ Michael Jordan, an NBA legend, was one of the greatest athletes ever to step inside a competitive field. ‘MJ’ transformed the sport and Rousey was on her way to doing the same in MMA.

However, on November 14, 2015, at UFC 193 in a packed Marvel Stadium with 56,214 people watching in attendance and millions streaming at home, Rowdy Ronda suffered her first loss. The first-ever female to win an Olympic medal in Judo and an undefeated athlete tasted a brutal knockout.

While the entire world was hoping for a dominant performance from Rousey, it wasn’t the night for her. Rousey fought one more time, only to face another loss against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 and retired.

Mark Wahlberg will never fight Ronda Rousey

Wahlberg, one of the biggest stars in Hollywood who dethroned Dwayne ‘The Rock‘ Johnson as the highest-paid actor in 2017, starred with Rousey in the 2018 movie Mile 22.

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During the promotions of the movie, Wahlberg was asked who would win in a fight between him and the former UFC world champion. Wahlberg said, “That’s my girl; I’ll only have her back. I would never try to fight her.”

The Hollywood star later praised Rousey for her acting and commitment to the movie as well. The movie directed by Peter Berg earned $66.3 million at the box office. It also starred Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, John Malkovich, and other stars, including the director himself.

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WATCH THIS STORY – Ronda Rousey Stripped Down For A Bold Photoshoot With Sports Illustrated

What do you make of Mark Wahlberg’s words for Ronda Rousey? Share your views in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Deepak Kumar is a UFC author at EssentiallySports. His love for MMA comes from the chaos and violence the fight game brings to the table. A BJJ aspirant, Deepak began following the sport as a casual fan when Ronda Rousey was finishing her opponents in seconds.

Edited by:

Rohini Kottu

Hollywood’s Highest Paid Actor, Who Knocked Off Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson for It in 2017, Once Gave Ronda Rousey ‘Michael Jordan’ Honor

Mark Wahlberg will never fight Ronda Rousey

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