8 years in the past right now, former undisputed bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey entered the Octagon for the primary time as a title challenger — trying to train some demons from the 12 months prior — however was met with a begrudging Brazilian drive within the type of Bahia bruiser, Amanda Nunes.
Returning to motion for the primary time since her devastating high-kick knockout loss in opposition to common-foe, Holly Holm in a defeat which introduced a stark finish to her gorgeous, record-setting run because the promotion’s solely bantamweight champion up till that time.
And assembly with Brazilian foe, Nunes — who would go on to change into the primary feminine two-weight champion within the group, Riverside native, Rousey was backed to regain her title from a drive who had headlined UFC 300 in a dramatic opening spherical submission over a bloodied frequent rival, Miesha Tate simply earlier that summer season.
Ronda Rousey flattened in dramatic Octagon swansong by Amanda Nunes
Met on the size for the official ceremonial weigh-ins by Nunes — who was sporting a lioness face masks in a tribute to her fierce nickname, Rousey entered the lioness’ den on December 30. in ‘Sin City’ — in her first championship outing in Nevada since a 14-second submission over Cat Zingano only a 12 months prior, when RouseyMania was at its peak.
Compelled out of a blockbuster headliner on the newly-minted T-Cell Enviornment earlier than a minute may even elapse within the opening spherical of their pairing, Rousey was crushed, battered, and bruised by ferocious striker, Nunes — who would exhibit the huge variations in each their general potential — in addition to extra importantly, their hanging acumen.
Failing to ever step foot into the Octagon within the time since, Californian veteran, Rousey would subsequently flip to skilled wrestling — having fun with a gold-laden and entertaining run with the WWE (World Wrestling Leisure), and amid hyperlinks to a shocking comeback at UFC 300 earlier this 12 months, the ex-bantamweight queen shut the door firmly on ever competing once more in fight sports activities.
“Every couple years – the same rumor comes out,” Ronda Rousey advised the Perception podcast a few return to the UFC. “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,” Ronda Rousey defined. “They don’t get any better.”
