Ronda Rousey Opens Up About Neurological Struggles, Confirms She Won’t Return to MMA
Ronda Rousey, once the undisputed face of women’s mixed martial arts, has officially closed the door on any speculation regarding her return to the octagon. In an unflinchingly honest revelation, Rousey cited irreversible neurological damage as the primary reason for her early departure from the sport in 2016 and her decision never to return.
“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 explained.
The Realities Behind Rousey’s Departure
The former UFC champion shared that her neurological health had significantly deteriorated over the years, to the point where even a simple jab would leave her dazed. “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,” Rousey admitted.
Rousey’s candidness about her condition has brought to light the often unseen and unspoken struggles faced by athletes in contact sports. The pressures of maintaining a facade of invulnerability and the culture of silence surrounding neurological injuries have contributed to her long-term health battles.
A Lifetime of Concussions
The neurological challenges Rousey faces today stem from a lifetime of concussions, starting as early as six years old. “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 said.
Her transition to mixed martial arts compounded these issues, as she brought with her a history of head injuries that only worsened with more frequent and severe impacts. “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,” she lamented.
The Culture of Silence
Rousey highlighted the cultural dynamics within combat sports that often discourage athletes from speaking out about their injuries. “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 said.
This environment, she noted, exacerbates the difficulties athletes face, as they are often pressured to push through injuries and downplay their symptoms to maintain their competitive edge and reputation.
A Lasting Influence, A Poignant Message
Rousey’s impact on the sport of MMA cannot be understated. She rose rapidly from the regional scene to Strikeforce and then to the UFC, quickly becoming a mainstream star and a household name. Her influence was so significant that it led UFC President Dana White to reconsider his stance on women’s participation in the UFC.
However, her departure following back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes marked a stark end to a dazzling career. Rousey’s story underscores the critical need for better concussion management and support systems in sports where head injuries are frequent and often severe.
Her openness about her neurological issues has sparked important discussions about athlete health and safety, particularly in relation to concussions. “When I got into MMA…it got to be lighter and lighter hits were hurting me more and more and more," she revealed. This insight adds to the growing conversation around the need for change in how athletes' neurological health is monitored and cared for.
Ronda Rousey’s commitment to raising awareness about the invisible battles many athletes face continues to resonate, as her story compels the sports world to rethink its approach to athlete well-being and safety. Though she will not return to the octagon, her legacy and influence on women’s fighting and the broader MMA community remain undeniable.