Ronda Rousey, a trailblazing figure in the world of women's MMA, burst onto the scene in August 2010, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Born on February 1, 1987, in Riverside County, California, Ronda was born with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, which damaged her vocal cords, making it difficult for her to speak coherently until the age of six.
Growing up, Ronda was a self-proclaimed tomboy, spending her early years swimming competitively from the ages of six to ten, where she placed in the state level on the Jr. Olympic swim team. Her mother, a 7th-degree black belt and 1984 World Judo Champion, introduced Ronda to the world of Judo, which provided her with the confidence she desperately needed to overcome her struggles with socializing with other children.
Ronda's Judo career was a remarkable one, marked by numerous accolades and achievements. At the tender age of 17, she became the youngest judoka in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she won a gold medal at the World Junior Judo Championships in Budapest. Two years later, she became the first U.S. female in almost a decade to win an A-Level tournament, claiming the gold at the World Cup in Great Britain with a flawless 5-0 record.
Throughout her Judo career, Ronda accumulated an impressive array of medals, including a bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where she became the first American to win an Olympic medal in women's Judo since the sport's introduction in 1992.
After her Olympic success, Ronda's career hit a roadblock, and she found herself bartending to make ends meet. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she stumbled upon a Gina Carano vs. Julie Kedzie fight on television, sparking her passion for mixed martial arts.
Ronda made her MMA debut as an amateur in 2010, going on to win every fight in the first round by armbar submission. She then set her sights on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC),demanding attention and recognition for women fighters. Her persistence paid off when she became the first UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, defeating Liz Carmouche in the first round with her signature armbar.
In addition to her impressive MMA career, Ronda has also ventured into the world of film, appearing in projects such as The Expendables 3 (2014),Furious 7 (2015),and Entourage (2015).
