Ronda Rousey, an undisputed mixed martial arts champion from America, is also a professional wrestler, actress, and judoka. She was the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo at the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Ranked No.1 among the 50 Most Dominant Athletes Alive in 2015, and the No. 1 pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world, Ronda Rousey has established herself as one of the best in contemporary mixed martial arts. She retired from MMA in 2016 and made headlines as the first female fighter to get inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018. She made her WWE debut at the WrestleMania 34 and won the Raw Women’s Championship in 2018. She won the WWE Women’s World Championship three times and announced her retirement from WWE in 2023. So, who is Ronda Rousey? Here’s everything we know about the former WWE wrestler.
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Ronda Rousey Biography
Ronda Rousey was born on the 1st of February 1987, in Riverside County, California, United States of America. She is currently 37 years old.
| Birth Name | Ronda Jean Rousey |
| Nickname | Rowdy, The Rowdy One, Rowdy Ronda, The Arm Collector |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Riverside, California, U.S. |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist, Judoka, Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Venezuelan, English, Polish, Trinidadian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Travis Browne |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Venice, California, U.S. |
Family and Education
Ronda’s parents are AnnMaria De Mars (née Waddell) and Ron Rousey. Her mother is a popular judoka and the first American to win a World Judo Championship in 1984. She has three sisters – Julia DeMars, Maria Burns-Ortiz, and Jennifer Rousey. Her father killed himself in 1995 when she was eight years old.
Her mother later remarried an aerospace engineer. She’s got English, Polish, Trinidadian, and Venezuelan roots.
Ronda obtained her primary education from homeschooling. She then attended the high school in Jamestown, North Dakota but dropped out and later cleared her GED tests which certify her high school-level academic skills.
Ronda Rousey Personal Life
Rousey began dating UFC fighter Travis Browne in 2015 and they moved in together, which she confirmed in October 2015. The couple became engaged on 20 April 2017 and married on 28 August 2017 in Hawaii. The couple has a daughter named La’akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne, born on September 27, 2021. She is also a stepmother to Browne’s two sons from his previous relationships.
Physical Statistics
| Height | Feet – 5 feet 7 inches Centimeters – 170 cm Meters – 1.7 m |
| Weight | Kilograms – 61 kg Pounds – 135 lbs |
| Body Build | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Gray |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
| Dress Size | 6 (US) |
| Distinctive Features | Mole under left eye Signature armbar |
Professional Statistics
Judo Career
Rousey started learning Judo at the age of 11 along with her mother and went on to win a gold medal at the World Junior Judo Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2004. She won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, making her the first American to win an Olympic medal in women’s judo since its inception as an Olympic sport in 1992.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Alongside Judo, Ronda had practiced Mixed Martial Arts at the Hayastan MMA Academy run by Gokor Chivichyan. She became a deadly MMA fighter when she tore her opponent’s knee at the age of 16. Rousey also trains at the Glendale Fighting Club, which she was introduced to through Gamburyan and other Hayastan teammates. She trained in Jiu-Jitsu at Dynamix MMA with Henry Akins from 2011 to 2014.
Rousey made her MMA debut in August 2010 when she defeated Hayden Munoz in just 23 seconds. Rousey made her professional mixed martial arts debut on March 27, 2011, at King of the Cage: Turning Point. She submitted Ediane Gomes with an armbar in 25 seconds.
Rousey challenged Tate for her Strikeforce title on March 3, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. She defeated Tate by submission due to an armbar in the first round, again dislocating her opponent’s elbow, to become the new Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
After retiring from MMA in 2016, she signed with WWE in 2018 and made her in-ring debut at the WrestleMania 34 in a duo match. She paired with Kurt Angle and pitted against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. In May 2018, she defeated then-champion Nia Jax at the Raw Women’s Championship through disqualification. In August 2018, she won her first championship title by submitting Alexa Bliss and later went on to defend the title by winning the matches against Nikki Bella, Mickie James, Nia Jax, Natalya, and Sasha Banks. She consecutively won the Women’s World Champion in WWE three times, becoming the eighth Women’s Triple Crown Champion.
She retired from WWE in 2023 and is now involved in the independent circuit.
Fighting Style
- Grounds opponent with tosses and sweeps
- Finishes fight with strikes or submissions
- Top position – attacks with punches from side control
- Rear position – Secures back mount and hurls head strikes
- Uses signature armbar
- Uses jabs, knees, and overhand rights while standing
Film Debut
Ronda Rousey made her debut as Luna in the 2014 Hollywood film, The Expendables 3.
Television Debut
She has appeared in several television shows and series. Rousey became the first female athlete to guest host ESPN’s SportsCenter. Rousey appeared in Season 2, Episode 20 episode of Blindspot playing the role of Devon Penberthy.
Ronda Rousey Net Worth
As of 2024, Rousey has an estimated net worth of US$14 million. She makes a fortune from Judo, MMA, Strikewomen, Bantamweight, television host, acting in films, endorsements, and editorial shoots. She owns a lavish Venice beach home in Los Angeles and drives around in her X6 BMW M.
Favorite Things
- Interests – Video Game (World of Warcraft, Mario Kart, Just Dance)
- Sports – Professional Wrestling
- Animation – Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon
- Pokemon Character – Mew
- Sketch Subject – Sea Life
- Toy – Wrestling Buddy of Hulk Hogan
Ronda Rousey Facts
She is the first and the current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, a title she holds since December 2012.
In 2014, she won three Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards—Best Box Office Draw, Most Outstanding Fighter, and MMA Most Valuable Fighter.
She was featured nude on the cover of ESPN The Magazine’s 2012 Body Issue.
She ranked #29 on Maxim’s Hot 100 list.
Ronda Rousey has graced the covers of Maxim, Australian Men’s Fitness, The Ring magazine, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, among others.
In January 2016 she hosted the late-night variety show Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Selena Gomez.
Her autobiography “My Fight / Your Fight” written by her and her sister Maris was published in May 2015.
In July 2018, she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
She’s the only woman fighter to be included in the Top 20 richest MMA fighters, having a net worth of $12 million in January 2022.
She’s a vegan.