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‘I’m Not Welcomed Back’ – Ronda Rousey Sends Blunt Message to UFC World

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated May 16, 2025 1:14 PM ET

At one point, no athlete in MMA was more recognizable than Ronda Rousey. The former Olympic judoka didn’t just dominate the women’s bantamweight division—she transformed it. With a string of first-round armbars, Rousey helped usher in an entirely new era for the UFC, becoming the organization’s first female champion and a mainstream crossover icon. But a recent interview sheds new light on the disconnect between her legacy and how she feels perceived today.

In a vulnerable conversation with High Performance, Rousey opened up about her relationship with the UFC fanbase and media. ‘Pretty sure if I walked into the arena, I'd be booed,’ she said. ‘I gave them everything I had and it wasn't enough.’ She also addressed the media's role in reshaping her image, saying, ‘I feel like I'm really vilified by MMA media at this point… I'm not really, you know, well welcomed back which is why I haven't gone to a UFC fight since.’

Rousey also revealed a major factor in her UFC departure—long-term concussion symptoms possibly linked to CTE. In her memoir Our Fight, she wrote candidly about suffering concussions as far back as childhood and how the accumulation of head trauma continued throughout her judo and MMA careers. She described symptoms such as blackouts, vision issues, and numbness, noting that even light impacts could trigger episodes. The potential long-term effects, including CTE, weighed heavily on her decision to walk away. Over time, the toll on her health became too great to ignore.

Since stepping away from the UFC, Rousey has exited WWE and turned her focus to life outside the ring. She authored her memoir Our Fight, released in 2024, and has shifted attention to her family, raising her two daughters and embracing a quieter life away from the spotlight that once followed her every move. Recently, brief clips of Rousey training surfaced online, sparking speculation about a potential return to either WWE or the UFC. However, as of now, no official announcement or confirmation has been made regarding a comeback.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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