Before becoming “The Baddest Woman on the Planet,” Ronda Rousey’s fierce and electrifying persona made her a dominant UFC champion. The only woman to hold titles in both UFC and WWE, her groundbreaking journey is filled with thrilling moments. This list explores 10 key milestones that shaped her legendary career.
Olympic Bronze Medalist
Before the UFC, Rousey made her mark on the world stage as an Olympic judo medalist. Starting judo at 11, she became the youngest U.S. judoka to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. In 2008, she captured bronze in Beijing and became the first American woman to earn an Olympic judo medal.
The First Female UFC Championship
Ronda Rousey started her MMA journey with King of the Cage in 2011, quickly rising to become Strikeforce’s last Women’s Bantamweight Champion. She made history at UFC 157 in the first-ever female fight and became UFC’s inaugural Women’s Bantamweight Champion, defending her title six times—a record held until 2022.
Fastest Title Defense in UFC History
At UFC 184, Ronda Rousey faced Cat Zingano for the women’s bantamweight title. She secured a lightning-fast victory with an armbar in just 14 seconds—the shortest UFC championship match at the time. This astounding win demonstrated her unmatched skill and quick-finishing prowess in the octagon and reinforced her dominance in the sport.
Appearance at WrestleMania 31
Rousey’s initial appearances in WWE created significant buzz. At WrestleMania 31 in 2015, she enthralled fans during a dramatic moment with The Rock while hinting at a potential crossover. In subsequent appearances, she supported fellow athletes and teased future rivalries, effectively laying the groundwork for her full-time WWE career.
UFC Hall of Fame Induction
Recognized for her contributions, Ronda Rousey became the first female UFC Hall of Fame inductee in 2018. This milestone celebrated her legacy as both a fighter and a pioneer who established new standards for female athletes in the MMA and inspired future generations to follow in her footsteps.
Transition into Hollywood
Making a splash in Hollywood, Ronda Rousey co-starred in The Expendables 3 and appeared in Furious 7. She was the first female athlete to guest anchor ESPN’s SportsCenter and hosted Saturday Night Live. Rousey continues to showcase her versatility, recently starring in 9-1-1 and hosting Rowdy’s Places.
First Women’s Royal Rumble Appearance
An unexpected presence at the 2018 Royal Rumble the wrestling world. Ronda Rousey confronted champions Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka and pointed to the WrestleMania sign, indicating the start of her WWE journey. During the segment, ESPN announced her full-time contract, which solidified her commitment to WWE.
WWE Debut at WrestleMania 34
In April 2018, Ronda Rousey made a stunning in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34. Partnering with Kurt Angle in a mixed tag match, she squared off against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Ronda’s debut match was a show-stealer, with her skills on full display and her signature armbar submission leading to a victory.
Becoming WWE Raw Women’s Champion
Rousey quickly ascended the ranks in WWE. Just months after her debut, she defeated Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam 2018 to win the WWE Raw Women’s Championship. Her impressive performance and fierce determination established her as a dominant force in wrestling, where she headlined events like the all-women’s pay-per-view Evolution.
Main Eventing WrestleMania 35
Making history yet again, Ronda Rousey headlined WrestleMania 35 in 2019, facing Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a triple-threat match—the first time women closed out the grandest stage of them all. Lynch controversially pinned Rousey, ending her 231-day championship reign. Despite the loss, Ronda earned the ESPY for Best WWE Moment.
10 Milestones In Ronda Rousey’s Incredible Path From UFC To WWE