Ronda Rousey News: UFC Strawweight Champion Urges Fans Not To Forget What 'Rowdy' Has Done For MMA
Reigning UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk recently reminded mixed martial arts fans about the contributions that former bantamweight queen Ronda Rousey has made for the sport.
For many athletes, female fighters in particular, "Rowdy's" dominance as the world bantamweight champion paved the way for the scene that every fight fan enjoys today. Rousey's drawing power was strong enough that she made UFC president Dana White change his mind about having female fighters in the UFC.
In a January 2011 ambush interview with TMZ, White was caught on video, saying that there will never be women fighting in the Octagon.
"Rowdy" enjoyed a massive amount of success, initially as the Strikeforce bantamweight champion in 2012. But when the said promotion closed shop, she was relegated to become the first-ever UFC bantamweight champion and was able to successfully defend the title a total of six times. Along the way, she also put up impressive records in women's mixed martial arts with the manner of which she has finished three of her last four opponents: Alexis Davis in 16 seconds, Cat Zingano in 14 seconds, and Bethe Correia in 34 seconds.
Sports Illustrated also branded her as the "most dominant athlete alive".
But after her shocker of a loss to former professional boxer Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November, Rousey's fans immediately turned into haters and many have constantly criticized her and her coach Edmond Tarverdyan.
In a report by Bloody Elbow, Jędrzejczyk went on to defend Rousey by reminding people about her accomplishments. The Polish fighter took note of Rousey's accolades in Judo and the Olympics, adding that the loss to Holm should not be the determining factor of her career as a mixed martial artist.
"We cannot forget what Ronda did before, for all of us, not just for female fighters, but for all the UFC and MMA all over the world," Jędrzejczyk said. "People cannot look at this just because she lost her last fight, you know?"
UFC president Dana White promised Rousey an immediate rematch against Holm. The fight is being targeted to take place at UFC 200 in July of the coming year.
