In December 2016, Ronda Rousey was dominated by Amanda Nunes after 48 seconds on her UFC return.
The defeat would ultimately mark the end of Rousey’s stellar MMA career, which saw her hold a UFC title for over two years.
The now-38-year-old’s impact in the MMA world was so powerful with renowned UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan calling her ‘the most dominant female combat sports athlete’ of all time.
After signing with billion-dollar wrestling promotion WWE, upon leaving Dana White‘s promotion, Rousey fought back tears as she reflected on her rise in MMA and her eventual downfall.
The end concluded with a devastating defeat to Nunes in just 48 seconds at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016, which marked the last time she would step into the Octagon ever.
“I remember my last fight, walking away thinking God hates me,” Rousey said ahead of her WWE WrestleMania debut in 2018.
“I had nothing left in me. My husband (ex-UFC heavyweight Travis Browne) is amazing, and he really brought me out of some tough times.
“He would just look at me and say: ‘You’re not only this. You’re more than just a fighter.’
“And that’s not a bad thing, that’s not something I should be ashamed of.
“It’s something I should embrace and showcase to the world, and that’s why I’m here.”
After Rousey headlined UFC 157 in February 2013, which marked the first-ever women’s fight in the promotion, Rousey demolished her fellow bantamweight’s and held the division’s title for over two years.
‘Rowdy’ was unstoppable for five more fights, finishing four of her opponents in the first round, until she met Holly Holm at UFC 193.
In one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, a nasty head kick from Holm led to Rousey dropping her 135lb title in November 2015.
Over one year later, the Californian returned to the Octagon to challenge for the belt one more time against Nunes.
Rousey was the No.1 contender in the women’s bantamweight division when she met Nunes as the oddsmakers and fan-favourite in the centre of the cage from the first bell at UFC 207.
Nunes utilised her reach advantage early by catching Rousey with a straight right hand and followed up with a left that had the American stumbling in the opening seconds.
With a stunned look on her face, Rousey came forward again but soon felt the impact of the Brazilian’s fist yet again.
The 30 second mark hadn’t even passed when Rousey found herself in deep trouble backed up against the cage.
Ronda Rousey’s UFC career
End of an era
Loss to Amanda Nunes via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 207 in December 2016
Loss to Holly Holm via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 193 in November 2015 (dropped bantamweight title)
Win over Bethe Correia via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 190 in August 2015
Win over Cat Zingano via first-round submission at UFC 184 in February 2015
Win over Alexis Davis via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 175 in July 2014
Win over Sara McMann via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 170 in February 2014
Win over Miesha Tate via third-round submission at UFC 168 in December 2013
Win over Liz Carmouche via first-round submission at UFC 157 in February 2013 (won bantamweight title on debut in first-ever women’s UFC fight)
Nunes began targeting the body as Rousey’s face reddened in despair.
‘The Lioness’ knew she wasn’t far from a stoppage victory when she tagged Rousey again and the woman in blue could barely stay on her feet.
Rousey tried desperately to land something on her Brazilian counterpart before Nunes hit back with consecutive nasty right hands and referee Herb Dean stepped in to wave off the fight 48 seconds into round one.
“Wow,” UFC commentator Rogan said in the immediate aftermath of the fight.
“Flawless performance by Amanda Nunes. Stunning, devastating victory by Nunes,” he added as Nunes paraded the Octagon shushing the crowd.
“She lit Ronda up like a Christmas tree.”
In February 2018, Rousey officially joined the WWE by signing her contract in a televised event.
The former UFC bantamweight champion said she had fulfilled a childhood dream by joining professional wrestling’s biggest promotion, but she never officially ruled out a return to the UFC either.
MMA fans speculated that ‘Rowdy’ would make a comeback at UFC 300 last April before UFC CEO White announced that that would not be happening.
She starred in the WWE until 2023 before turning her back on combat sports entirely.
After giving birth to her second child with Browne, it was expected that Rousey still wouldn’t consider a comeback.
But she stirred fans into a frenzy after posting pictures of her making a return to training in March.
In her latest social media post, Rousey Rousey was spotted training alongside ex-UFC rival Cat Zingano, which has added even more fuel to the fire that she could be gearing up for one last dance in the Octagon.
