Yesterday afternoon Ronda Rousey – the biggest female star in sports – entered the UFC octagon an undefeated champion, pound-for-pound queen-pin and the most dominant champion in combat sports.
Approximately 10 minutes later, she lay bloody and unconscious on the ground, held in the concerned embrace of veteran referee Herb Dean as a Holly Holm high kick tore down her world – and her brain function.
Ronda Rousey is a polarising figure, like many elite star athletes, her admirers are matched by her detractors. Those detractors have come out in full force in the last 24 hours. If you have social media, the internet, a laptop or a university-approved calculator then there are a few things you know. You know Rousey lost, you know that she got head kick into oblivion and most importantly you know that it’s what Rousey ‘deserved’.
I’m certain that you have also seen these comments and posts, splashed across every possible platform. In the unlikely case you haven’t, most of them revolve around Rousey being far too cocky, disrespectful, annoying and how glad we all are that she was beaten.
I can appreciate that people dislike the former champion. Her personality is confronting and she is outspoken. Her recent comments on Floyd Mayweather and a slew of other celebrities in particular have caused a significant uproar.
Many on social media are condemning the actions of Rousey as disrespectful, gleeful that she got put back into place, especially in such a brutal manner.
The new champion, Holly Holm, has been as humble in victory as she was before. She checked on Rousey immediately after the fact, an act that garnered deserved attention. Holm said in the post-fight press conference “With a champion like Ronda who has gone out of her way – above and beyond – to do great things, absolutely, she deserves a rematch.”
Holm has been humble and respectful not only because it is her nature but she also knows that Rousey is a true champion. A champion doesn’t need to touch gloves, or be humble – a champion needs to defend their belt and strive to ensure ascension for themselves and the sport.
The introduction of women into the UFC organisation, is one of if not the biggest development in the last decade of mixed martial arts. Sure, there was Gina Carano before her who attracted some widespread attention, but it was fleeting.
Ronda Rousey is the reason women are in the UFC. Ronda Rousey is the reason the UFC is now mainstream. Ronda Rousey is the reason 56,000 Australians packed out Etihad Stadium.
All respect to Holly Holm. With a brilliant and dominant display of skill and experience she rocked the foundations of the combat world, the foundations that Rousey built.
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