Ronda Rousey is one of the most influential female fighters in combat sports history.
Known for her explosive armbar submissions, Olympic judo background and dominant UFC title run, Rousey helped push women’s MMA into the mainstream during the 2010s.
Outside the cage, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey also became a WWE champion, actress and crossover sports star after building one of the biggest brands in combat sports.
Ronda Rousey Fighter Snapshot
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ronda Jean Rousey |
| Nickname | Rowdy |
| Born | February 1, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Riverside County, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’6” (168 cm) |
| Reach | 66” (168 cm) |
| Division | Bantamweight / Featherweight |
| MMA Record | 13-2 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Team Hayastan / Glendale Fighting Club |
| Base Style | Judo |
| @rondarousey |
What Is Ronda Rousey Known For?
Ronda Rousey is widely known for becoming the first female fighter signed by the UFC and the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
She dominated women’s MMA during her prime with quick finishes, aggressive grappling and her signature armbar submission.
Rousey also became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo after capturing bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Many fans credit Rousey for helping transform women’s MMA into a global attraction during the UFC’s rise.
What Is Ronda Rousey’s MMA Record?
Ronda Rousey retired from MMA with a professional record of 13 wins and 2 losses.
Out of her 13 victories:
- 10 came by submission
- 3 came by knockout or TKO
Her most famous wins came against:
- Miesha Tate
- Cat Zingano
- Sara McMann
- Bethe Correia
- Liz Carmouche
Rousey became famous for finishing fights extremely quickly, especially with armbars during the opening round.
Did Ronda Rousey Return To MMA?
Yes. After years away from MMA, Ronda Rousey returned in 2026 for a one-off fight against Gina Carano under MVP MMA on Netflix.
Rousey won the fight by armbar submission in just 17 seconds during the first round.
Following the victory, she again stated that she was retiring from MMA to focus on her family.
How Did Ronda Rousey Lose In UFC?
Rousey suffered the first loss of her MMA career against Holly Holm at UFC 193 in 2015.
Holm shocked the MMA world after knocking Rousey out with a head kick in the second round.
The loss became one of the biggest upsets in UFC history and ended Rousey’s undefeated streak and title reign.
Rousey later returned in 2016 against Amanda Nunes but lost by TKO in under one minute.
Did Ronda Rousey Compete In WWE?
Yes. After stepping away from MMA, Ronda Rousey transitioned into professional wrestling with WWE.
She debuted at WrestleMania 34 and later became:
- Raw Women’s Champion
- SmackDown Women’s Champion
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion
Rousey also headlined the first women’s WrestleMania main event alongside Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
Her WWE run helped expand her popularity beyond MMA and combat sports fans.
What Fighting Style Does Ronda Rousey Use?
Rousey’s foundation style is judo.
She became famous for using throws, clinch pressure and armbar submissions to overwhelm opponents quickly.
Her grappling-heavy style made her one of the most dangerous submission fighters of her era.
Rousey also developed stronger striking later in her UFC career, earning knockout wins over fighters like Bethe Correia and Alexis Davis.
Why Is Ronda Rousey Important To Women’s MMA?
Many fighters and analysts view Ronda Rousey as one of the key figures who changed women’s MMA forever.
Before her UFC rise, women’s MMA received far less mainstream attention.
Rousey’s popularity, title reign and media presence helped open the door for future stars across the UFC and combat sports.
She later became the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
