Ronda Rousey Addresses Neurological Health and Career Decisions
Ronda Rousey, former UFC champion and an iconic figure in mixed martial arts, has categorically dismissed any speculation about her return to the octagon. Her decision to permanently step away from competitive fighting stems from serious and irreversible neurological issues.
Rousey not only revealed the daunting challenges behind her early departure from MMA in 2016 but also shared the harsh realities of her ongoing health struggles. "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," she confessed, emphasizing the irreversible nature of her injuries. "You just get to a level where the neurological injuries you take accumulate over time. They don't get better."
Struggles Begin Early
Rousey's struggles with concussions and neurological damage began much earlier in her athletic career than many might have suspected. Remarkably, she started dealing with concussion symptoms at the tender age of six. "I started dealing with it at six years old. I started getting concussions much earlier on in swimming," she recalled. "Two kids doing a backstroke in the other direction crack heads or hit the wall doing the backstroke."
The situation only worsened as Rousey transitioned to judo. Beginning at a young age, she suffered from multiple concussions every year. "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 disclosed.
Unyielding Determination Amidst Adversity
Despite these early setbacks, Rousey’s determination propelled her through the ranks of combat sports, from regional circuits to Strikeforce, and ultimately to the UFC, where she became a household name and a mainstream star. Her influence was so profound that she played a key role in changing UFC President Dana White’s stance on women’s participation in the organization.
However, Rousey’s persistence did not come without cost. "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," she remarked. As her responsibilities and the frequency of her fights increased, even lighter hits began to cause significant harm. "It just got to be lighter and lighter hits were hurting me more and more and more."
The Final Straw
Rousey's decision to step away from MMA followed back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. These bouts highlighted the severe impacts of her years of head trauma. "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," Rousey admitted. "I just couldn't continue to fight at that higher level."
Her revelations reflect a broader and often under-discussed issue within many contact sports: the culture of silence surrounding neurological decline. "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.
A Call for Change
Rousey's story not only compels a reevaluation of athlete health and safety protocols but also underscores the need for better concussion management and support systems. Her experience opens critical discourse on the subject, emphasizing the hidden battles many athletes face long after they leave the ring or the field.
Today, Rousey stands as more than just a former Olympic bronze medalist and a trailblazer for women's fighting in MMA; she is a vocal advocate for the health and well-being of athletes. Her candidness about her neurological issues has brought much-needed attention to a problem that affects countless sports professionals.
Rousey's legacy in MMA is secure, not only for her contributions in the octagon but also for sparking crucial conversations about athlete safety. While she may never return to competitive fighting, her influence continues, shedding light on the silent and often invisible struggles faced by current and future athletes.