Ronda Rousey Opens Up About Neurological Challenges and MMA Retirement
Ronda Rousey, the trailblazing force behind the surge in women's mixed martial arts, has decisively quashed any speculation about her return to the sport. Her revelations about the severe neurological damage she has sustained over the years paint a vivid picture of the realities behind her early departure from MMA 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 candidly admitted.
The former UFC star, who rapidly climbed from regional scenes to Strikeforce and then the UFC, became a household name and significantly influenced UFC President Dana White's stance on women's participation in the UFC. However, her ascent was not without cost. Afflicted with irreversible neurological damage, Rousey disclosed the accumulation of concussions she has endured since childhood.
Starting as young as six, Rousey dealt with concussions from activities as seemingly benign as 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. 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 recounted.
Rousey, also a former Olympic bronze medalist in judo, noted that her journey through contact sports was plagued with frequent head injuries. These concussions continued as she transitioned into MMA, where the physical toll compounded. "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. So when I got into MMA, I was playing a game of zero errors. Then 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," she elaborated.
The culture of silence surrounding neurological decline in contact sports, according to Rousey, exacerbates the issue. "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," she noted.
Rousey's decision to step away from the sport followed back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. These defeats were critical turning points, underlining the extent of her neurological impairment. "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 said.
Her contributions to raising the profile of women's fighting in MMA are unparalleled. However, Rousey's story compels an urgent conversation about athlete health and safety in sports where concussions are a common risk.
Advocating for better concussion management and support systems in contact sports, Rousey's revelations highlight the invisible battles many athletes face. Her openness about her condition brings critical discourse to the forefront of sports medicine and athlete care.
In conclusion, while fans may hope for her return, Ronda Rousey's steadfast refusal underscores the importance of health over career. Her brave disclosures not only humanize the often glamorized profession but also pave the way for necessary changes in how athletes' neurological health is managed and protected.