Ronda Rousey, the trailblazing first female UFC champion, stands today as a polarizing figure whose career arc has become a cautionary tale in the world of professional combat sports. Once an invincible icon with a terrifyingly fast armbar and the confidence of a “female Mike Tyson,” her empire fractured swiftly, a victim not just of her opponents’ skill, but of her own mounting arrogance and refusal to evolve.

Rousey’s tough upbringing and dedication to judo—culminating in an Olympic medal—built her into a dominant force in MMA. However, repeated, effortless victories led to an unearned belief of untouchability. Rousey’s confidence began to morph into conceit; she was labeled a “one-trick pony” and openly declared herself the greatest fighter and best striker in the world, overlooking the need for continuous skill development.

The Crushing Blows of Reality

This unchecked ego made her vulnerable to the calculated brilliance of her opponents.

The fall began against Holly Holm, a veteran boxing champion. Despite Rousey’s public dismissal of Holm’s striking ability, Holm delivered a devastating headkick that instantly ended Rousey’s unbeaten streak. Instead of accepting the defeat, Rousey retreated into making a series of public excuses, claiming she was “nothing” without her title and trying to elicit sympathy from fans who had already grown weary of her boastful persona.

The second and more definitive blow came against Amanda Nunes. When Rousey returned to the Octagon, she was a shadow of her former self, lacking the killer instinct that had defined her rise. Nunes exposed this vulnerability, overwhelming Rousey with strikes and ending the fight in under a minute. Rousey skipped the post-fight press conference, cementing the public perception that she was unable to face defeat with grace. Analysts concluded that she was never as great as perceived, merely “first.”

Burning Bridges in WWE

After her earthshattering losses, Rousey transitioned to the WWE. While her debut was celebrated, her stay was turbulent. When she was positioned as the villain in a storyline against fan-favorite Becky Lynch, Rousey’s frustration boiled over. She broke character and publicly slammed professional wrestling as “fake and scripted,” accusing fans of not appreciating her.

This outburst burned her last bridge with the wrestling community, which, while embracing the drama, demands respect for the craft. Rousey was subsequently sidelined, with fans and analysts citing her arrogance and belief that she was “bigger than the whole stage.”

Years later, Rousey continued to damage her legacy by offering elaborate excuses for the Holm defeat, claiming multiple concussions and a torn ligament from falling down stairs before the fight. These excuses were widely mocked on social media, turning her into a figure synonymous with a lack of accountability. Rousey’s story is a stark reminder that even the most dominant champions cannot sustain glory without humility and the drive to grow.