At the beginning of Ronda’s MMA career, she was technically categorized as an amateur. In practice, however, she was as professional as they come.
Anyone who had the guts to face her had their backside handed to them on a platter in under a minute. Not surprisingly, Rousey went pro, officially, and destroyed her opponents.
Welcome to MMA
When Rousey was still training in judo, she had some training partners who transitioned into MMA fighters. Those former training partners suggested that this could be just what Rousey needs to do next in her life.
Tired of her ordinary jobs, Rousey decided to take their advice and embark on an MMA journey — a decision that changed her life.
The First Fight
Rousey's first MMA fight was in the summer of 2010. The fight was epic.
The fight was epically short. It only lasted 23 seconds, during which she obliterated her opponent faster than you can blink. It was a great start for Rousey.
Lean, Mean, Fighting Machine
As a pro, Rousey achieved the impossible and won four fights in a row, with each fight lasting less than a minute. All of those fights and achievements lead her to compete against the reigning champ.
The fight took 4 minutes and 27 seconds, much longer than Rousey's average, but it ended with her victory. She became an MMA sensation and even appeared on the cover of the "Body Issue" by ESPN Magazine.
Cover Girl
With Rousey's growing popularity, her "Body Issue" cover was only a matter of time. Think of "Body Issue" as the "Sports Illustrated" of ancient Sparta — mega athletes showing off their hard-earned sporty physique on glossy paper.
Rousey was happy to participate, as she viewed the concept as art. Her main message was that femininity doesn't have to be sacrificed for the sake of athleticism. "I can be a fighter and be tough yet still retain my femininity," said Rousey profoundly.