Ronda Rousey’s former training partner always knew she wouldn’t hold back in the ring. Rousey’s final UFC bout lasted just 44 seconds, concluding her MMA career with back-to-back knockouts. Although she once reigned as the bantamweight champion, Rousey eventually transitioned to a new career path. She revolutionized women’s MMA, significantly boosting its popularity and bringing the sport into mainstream attention during her meteoric rise. After joining WWE in 2018, her journey came full circle when she faced off against another ex-UFC fighter.
Shayna Baszler, who signed with WWE in 2017, was the first to decisively defeat Rousey in the wrestling world. Baszler, a two-time UFC competitor who once lost to Amanda Nunes, was also part of Rousey’s coaching team on “The Ultimate Fighter” season 18 in 2013. Their long-standing friendship culminated in their dream match: an MMA rules bout at SummerSlam 2023. Baszler recently shared in an interview how quickly their WWE match turned intense, recounting how Rousey’s timing and speed immediately set the tone for a fierce contest.
While rumors of Rousey’s comeback swirl, UFC president Dana White has dismissed any chance of her returning. Baszler’s interest in wrestling grew from watching matches to unwind after training, and following her release from the UFC due to losses, she pursued wrestling full-time. When asked if she might fight again, Baszler said she’s more likely to return to jiu-jitsu or submission wrestling, emphasizing that MMA is a sport favoring youth, where tiny lapses can make a huge difference.
Fan Take: This news is a reminder of how Ronda Rousey changed not just MMA but women’s combat sports as a whole, pushing boundaries and drawing in massive audiences. The high-profile WWE match with Baszler highlights the growing crossover appeal between MMA and pro wrestling, which could pave the way for more exciting, genre-blurring events in the future.
