Former UFC champion says combat sports celebrate winners but discard them once they fall.
Ronda Rousey has launched a fierce criticism of the mixed martial arts community, accusing fans and the media of abandoning fighters as soon as they lose. Speaking on a recent podcast, the former UFC bantamweight champion said that athletes are idolized only while they’re on top, but once they stumble, the support vanishes. “The second that you’re not on top, you’re not sht and you never were sht,” Rousey said, reflecting on her own experience of fame and backlash following defeat.
“You’re Only Valued When You’re Winning”
Rousey compared MMA’s culture to professional wrestling, arguing that wrestling legends are still celebrated after retirement, while MMA quickly erases its heroes. She pointed to past champions like Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, and Fedor Emelianenko, saying that fans who once cheered them turned critical after a single loss. “It’s like there’s no space for respect once you’re no longer unbeatable,” she added.
A Reflection on Her Own Journey
The former Olympian admitted that fear of public rejection fueled her drive to stay undefeated. After suffering consecutive losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, Rousey said she experienced firsthand how quickly admiration can turn to ridicule. She described MMA as a brutal sport both physically and emotionally, where “your shelf life is short” and long-term appreciation is rare. Rousey urged fans to remember that fighters risk their health every time they step into the cage — and deserve respect, win or lose.
