Sitting at the top of MMA, it's Ronda Rousey against the world

Inside the mind of MMA superstar Ronda Rousey ahead of her title defense against Holly Holm at UFC 193.

Author:
Duane Finley
Publish date:
Nov 10, 2015

With the speed in which Ronda Rousey’s life and career move it could be difficult to find balance. In March 2012 she was a highly touted up-and-coming talent eyeing her first major title opportunity under the Strikeforce banner, and just north of three years later she’s widely regarded as the biggest star in mixed martial arts.

How the former Olympic judoka made that happen has been no secret as her dominance inside the cage has been on full display every step of the way. The fever pitch that began with claiming the Strikeforce women’s 135-pound title in Columbus, Ohio, has been repeated with increased ferocity as she’s dispatched and smashed every opponent placed in her path. And where a consecutive string of wins would have been enough to bolster the hype surrounding her, Rousey has done so in fashions that have left even the most knowledgeable minds in combat sports wondering how far her talent ceiling extends.

Her consistency in the dominance department brought the spotlight and it has refused to leave her during her climb to reach icon status. Where that magnitude of attention can be fleeting and even destructive in certain cases, Rousey has used it to propel her to even greater heights that include movie roles, national ad campaigns and a stream of awards and acknowledgments typically reserved for athletes who don’t make a living punching one another in the face.

The unbreakable Ronda Rousey is the world's most dominant athlete

Through it all, she’s managed to do what the sport she loves has not and that’s break through into the mainstream of popular culture. And while that may seem a bit paradoxical, blazing her own trail is common fare for Rousey. That’s not to say the weight of expectation doesn’t weigh heavily on her shoulders because it does, and beneath the red carpets and glare of the limelight she’s an athlete who faces dangerous challenges every time the cage door closes behind her.

And that’s fine with Rousey. Elite-level competition is something she’s ready and willing to deal with, but being at the highest level of visibility an athlete can garner comes with plenty of pitfalls in tow. Rousey is as self-aware as they come in that realm, and she’s very much in tune to how popularity and celebrity can change in a heartbeat in the eyes of those who have built and boosted her profile.

“I feel like it’s me versus the world all the time in that everyone out there is just waiting for the first reason to believe all the worst things about me,” Rousey says. “It sucks and it’s a sh---y relationship. Any other relationship I have in my life isn’t like that. Anyone who says they love me and how all the things I’m doing are awesome wouldn’t jump to hate me over the first thing they could possibly hold against me, but sometimes I feel the entire world looks at me that way.

“That is why I try not to take anything too personal," says Rousey. "I don’t know them personally and they don’t know me personally so I shouldn’t take anything personal.”

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

While Rousey’s resume has diversified during her rise to stardom, the California native is still just a fighter at heart. She understands increased visibility will bring different labels and assumptions just as much as she knows celebrity is a slippery slope to travel. With Rousey being one of the premier female athletes in the world and competing in a sport dominated by her male counterparts it should come as no surprise she’s become a figure young women can look up to as a source of empowerment.

And even though Rousey finds pride in being someone others can look up to, she expresses caution when put into that mold.

“I don’t really like to accept the title of role model,” Rousey says. “I wouldn’t give that to myself. I wouldn’t walk around and say anyone should model their life after me. That seems a little narcissistic. If I can play that role, I’m happy to, but I’m not nearly infallible enough to be preaching to people they should be like me.”

Classic Photos of Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Here are some candid and not so candid photos of UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, who hosted Saturday Night Live on Jan. 23. In this sketch she appears with Taran Killam as Dan.

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Kenan Thompson and Ronda Rousey during the City Council sketch on the Jan. 23, 2016 episode of Saturday Night Live.

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Ronda Rousey with SNL participants (from left) Jon Rudnitsky, Bobby Moynihan, Selena Gomez, Rousey, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer and Jay Pharoah during the monologue.

Ronda Rousey :: January 2016

Singer Selena Gomez, Ronda Rousey, and Cecily Strong are caught on stage in a practice for the Jan. 23 Saturday Night Live show.

Ronda Rousey :: Nov. 14, 2015

Ronda Rousey is attended to after suffering a second-round knockout at the hands of Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey responds to questions during media day in Glendale, Calif., ahead of her showdown with Holly Holm.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Rousey hosts Media Day ahead of her Nov. 14 fight in Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey spars with a partner during a media training session.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 16, 2015

Joshua Blanchard /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rousey poses in front of a mural created in her honor in Venice, Calif.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 6, 2015

Mike Stobe/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey poses for a photo at the London NYC hotel ahead of UFC 193.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 17, 2015

Brendon Thorne/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey poses with a fans during a UFC 193 Sydney fan event.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Michael Dodge/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey and her November opponent, Holly Holm, take centre stage during a UFC 193 media event.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Ronda Rousey takes selfies with fans during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Ronda Rousey arrives during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 4, 2015

Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey and her mother, AnnMaria De Mars (3rd from right), present a championship belt to a judo school and social project owned by Olympic bronze medalist Flavio Canto in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 2, 2015

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey after her 34-second victory over Bethe Correia.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 1, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia at their weigh in.

Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015

Ronda Rousey accepts the Best Female Athlete award during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015

Robert Laberge/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former boxer Mike Tyson meets Ronda Rousey during a media training session at the Glendale Fight Club.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey trains during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: March 23, 2015

Ronda Rousey talks with reporters after meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state leaders urging them to join the 49 other states in legalizing mixed martial arts.

Ronda Rousey :: April 4, 2015

Ronda Rousey attends an NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche.

Ronda Rousey :: April 1, 2015

Rousey arrives at the 'Furious 7' Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey and the Rock :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and the Rock at WrestleMania 31.

Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara

Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara.

Ronda Rousey :: March 26, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Robin Roberts on the "Good Morning America" set.

Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015

Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

Ronda Rousey during her visit to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015

Ronda Rousey shows Jimmy Fallon what an armbar is during her visit to the "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil face off during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia:: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil pose for the media during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey with fans in Brazil during the the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses for the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey looks on during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: March 14, 2015

Ronda Rousey speaks during a South by Southwest Sports panel at the Austin Convention Center in Texas.

Ronda Rousey :: March 10, 2015

Ronda Rousey is seen with Mario Lopez of Extra at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Bret Hartman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey speaks to members of the media at the Glendale Fighting Club ahead of her fight against Cat Zingano.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano face off during the UFC 184 Ultimate Media Day in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey warms up in the locker room before her bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Jeff Gross/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey prepares to enter the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey gets ready to fight Cat Zingano at UFC 184.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey enters the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey gets into position to put an armbar on Cat Zingano during UFC 184.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey puts the finishing touches on Cat Zingano to remain undefeated.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey celebrates her victory over Cat Zingano.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey consoles Cat Zingano after their bout.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2014

Ronda Rousey attends Reebok and UFC Long-Term Partnership Announcement at Industria Studios in New York City.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Elliott Howard/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey arrives at the UFC Time Is Now press conference in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2014

Ronda Rousey sighting in West Hollywood, Calif.

Ronda Rousey :: September 2014

Ronda Rousey attends FOX Sports 1's "The Ultimate Fighter" Season Premiere Party in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2014

Ronda Rousey arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2014

Ronda Rousey smiles at a weigh-in for the UFC 175 event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Alexis Davis: July 2014

Ronda Rousey faces off with Alexis Davis during the UFC 175 weigh-in inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2014

Ronda Rousey takes down Alexis Davis during their women's mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout at UFC 175 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Kelsey Grammer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronda Rousey and Sylvester Stallone pose during a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses Ronda Rousey during a photocall for the film "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

David M. Benett/Getty Images for Millennium Films

Ronda Rousey attends a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France.

Ronda Rousey and Kellan Lutz :: May 2014

Actor Kellan Lutz and Ronda Rousey arrive for the screening of The Homesman at the 67th international film festival.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Ronda Rousey attends "The Homesman" Premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival inFrance.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Ronda Rousey hosts #TheLinkParty at the IceLink Boutique West Hollywood benefiting The Special Needs Network.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen filming a scene for the "Entourage" movie in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles

Ronda Rousey :: February 2014

Ronda Rousey knees Sara McMann in their bantamweight championship bout during UFC 170 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2014

Ronda Rousey at an open training session for fans and media in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Jimmy Kimmel:: December 2013

Ronda Rousey made an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in early December 2013.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2013

Ronda Rousey poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: December 2013

Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey attempts to submit Miesha Tate in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during UFC 168 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Josh Thomson :: July 2013

Al Powers/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rousey and UFC lightweight Josh Thomson pose for a photo during the UFC Fan Party in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2013

Clint Jenkins/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey signs an autograph during the UFC Fan Expo Las Vegas 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas,.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2013

Ronda Rousey attends the Fox Sports Media Group Upfront after party at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013

Ronda Rousey eventually got Liz Carmouche off her back and improved her record to 7-0 with the victory.

Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013

Ronda Rousey found herself in trouble early against Liz Carmouche, but withstood the challenge to win in the first round.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2012

Ronda Rousey shows off her UFC bantamweight championship belt during a news conference in Seattle, Wash. UFC president Dana White handed out the belt, saying the former Strikeforce title-holder will make her UFC debut on Feb. 23 against Liz Carmouche.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during training session with coach Edmond Tarverdyan at Glendale Fighting Club.

Ronda Rousey and Dana White: September 2012

Rousey poses with Dana White at the Sons of Anarchy season 5 premiere screening in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman :: August 2012

Ronda Rousey secures an arm bar submission against Sarah Kaufman during their Strikeforce bout.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2012

Ronda Rousey reacts after defeating Sarah Kaufman by submission during the Strikeforce event in San Diego on Aug. 18.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2012

Ronda Rousey attends ESPN Magazine's 4th Annual Body Issue celebration at Belasco Theatre on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

:: David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images

Ronda Rousey during the weigh-in for her bout against Meisha Tate.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

Ronda Rousey walks to the cage before her bantamweight bout against Tate in March. Rousey won via an armbar submission.

Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: March 2012

Ronda Rousey reacts after submitting Meisha Tate during their bantamweight bout in Columbus, Ohio.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

Rousey takes questions from the media after her victory over Meisha Tate.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey catches her breath after a workout.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2011

Ronda Rousey attends the UFC On FOX: Live Heavyweight Championship in Anaheim, Calif.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011

Kari Hubert/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio pose at the weigh-in before their Strikeforce match in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2011

Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011

Sarah D'Alelio and Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Rousey would win the bout via tapout in the first round.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2008

Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated/Contour by Getty Images

Ronda Rousey (far left) in a Summer Olympics preview portrait with Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Marci Van Dusen (freestyle wrestling), and Sarah Hammer (cycling).

Ronda Rousey and Valerie Gotay: April 2008

Ronda Rousey throws Valerie Gotay over her shoulder as she poses for a portrait during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summitt in Chicago.

Ronda Rousey and Annett Boehm: August 2008

Rousey and Germany's Annett Boehm compete in the 70 kg judo bronze-medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rousey would win the match and the bronze.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2008

Rousey stands on the podium after winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics.

Ronda Rousey: 2007

A happy Ronda Rousey after she won the 70Kg Judo final in the 2007 XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2006

Ronda Rousey with her gold medal at the Fighting Films Birmingham Women's World Cup at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2004

Claudia Heill from Austria fights Ronda Rousey during the Judo half-middle weight (-63kg) event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Ronda Rousey :: June 2004

Ronda Rousey and Anastasia Krivosta compete in their 63 kg. match during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Judo at the San Jose State University Event Center in California. Rousey won the match to move on in the competition.

The stakes increase with every fight for Rousey, and nowhere is that more apparent than her upcoming title defense against Holly Holm at UFC 193 this Saturday in Melbourne, Australia. The women’s bantamweight phenom will step into the Octagon to face a former multi-time women’s boxing champion turned undefeated mixed martial artist in Holm in a matchup that has been talked about long before the Albuquerque native ever found her way to the UFC.

If the intricacies of Holm’s skill set weren’t enough to hurdle, the lively 70,000 Australians who will be in attendance are certain to create an amplified environment to perform. Rousey is as game as they come in the world of fighting, but the setting of UFC 193 and the obligations required to promote such an event can be a difficult dance for even the most seasoned superstar.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Rousey explains. “The stadium has the capacity for 70,000, but I still have to fill up 70,000. I’m doing all I can to try to meet that goal, but the ultimate goal is to beat Holly. If everything else falls into place that’s awesome, but if not I tried my best.

“I go on these runs and it’s just hard. This will be my third title fight in nine months and it’s exhausting. I kind of think of it more as how much I’ve done since the last time I got to rest. This fight with Holly is the last hurdle before the next time I get to rest and there is no way on earth this girl is taking my rest and happiness away from me. I need to earn that and how I’m going to do that is by beating her. She will be much better off for it in the end. She’s going to make a good amount of money and then go home and be happy with her family and friends. She’s going to be able to continue living her life as a fighter and that fits her much better. What I do is a lot of work and not everyone would like it.”

Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

All promotional obligations aside, Rousey is looking forward to stepping into the Octagon to face Holm Saturday night. Holm left behind a lengthy track record of accomplishments in the boxing world and has been unbeaten in her efforts in the realm of MMA. Along the way, Holm was able to create enough buzz with fight fans that she was being paired up against Rousey long before she ever had a spot on the UFC roster.

Whether a matchup with Rousey was ever really Holm’s wish doesn’t exactly matter because “Rowdy” now has the Albuquerque native in her sights, and that has been a bad situation to be in for her opponents in the past. With Holm's boxing acumen and kicking game, most figure a rangy game plan to be the only way she dethrones Rousey, but the dominant champion isn’t buying into any of it.

She acknowledges her opponent’s skill set, but believes her determination and downright ferocity will be more than Holm can handle.

“My only fear is fear of failure,” Rousey says. “I want to win more than any of those other girls possibly could. I’m so afraid of failing that I go into the gym and work harder than them every single day. There is no way they could want to win as a contender as much as I want to win as champion and I feel that fear is actually an advantage I have.

MORE: 50 little-known facts about MMA superstar Ronda Rousey

“The thing that has always set me apart is that I want it more and I still think that’s true. Nobody needs me outside of there. That’s where I’m needed. People need me to win and be the champion, so therefore I need to win and be the champion. All those other girls who walk in and try to fight me are needed elsewhere and they don’t forget that. They walk in knowing they have to get out of there one way or another and I walk in there knowing I’m only walking out one way and that is the winner.”