Ronda Jean Rousey is a renowned American figure in the world of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Her career highlights include a successful stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and WWE, making her a prominent personality in both organizations. Prior to her wrestling career, Rousey achieved significant recognition as a judoka.
1978: Cathy Davis's The Ring Magazine Cover
Cathy Davis became the first woman to appear on the cover of The Ring magazine in 1978.
1984: AnnMaria De Mars Becomes World Judo Champion
Ronda Rousey's mother, AnnMaria De Mars, made history in 1984 by becoming the first American to win a World Judo Championship.
February 1, 1987: Birth of Ronda Jean Rousey
Ronda Jean Rousey was born in Riverside, California on February 1, 1987.
1989: Release of "Road House"
The original action drama film "Road House," starring Patrick Swayze, was released in 1989.
1992: Women's Judo Becomes an Olympic Sport
Women's judo was introduced as an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Olympic Games.
2002: Start of Judo Training at Hayastan MMA Academy
Ronda Rousey began her judo training under Gokor Chivichyan at the Hayastan MMA Academy.
2004: Youngest Judoka at the Olympics and World Judo Juniors Championship Gold
At the age of 17, Ronda Rousey became the youngest judoka to qualify for the Olympic Games in Athens. In the same year, she won a gold medal at the World Judo Juniors Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
2004: Teammates' Perception of Rousey's Potential
In 2004, Ronda Rousey's teammates recognized her talent and believed she could excel in MMA, but some also felt she should continue with judo.
2005: Early Judo Training Challenges
Ronda Rousey faced challenges and setbacks during her early years of judo training, often experiencing frustration and tears.
April 2006: First A-Level Tournament Win and Junior World Championships Bronze
Ronda Rousey achieved two significant milestones in April 2006: she became the first female U.S. judoka in nearly a decade to win an A-Level tournament and later earned the bronze medal at the Junior World Championships, making her the first U.S. athlete to win two Junior World medals.
February 2007: Pan American Games Gold and World Judo Championships Silver
In February 2007, Ronda Rousey moved up to the 70 kg weight class and won the gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the World Judo Championships.
August 2008: Olympic Bronze Medal and Judo Career Summary
Ronda Rousey competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where she won a bronze medal, marking the first time an American woman had won an Olympic medal in Judo since 1992. This win capped off her impressive judo career with a record of 56 wins and 19 losses.
2008: Decision to Pursue MMA
Following the 2008 Olympics, Ronda Rousey decided to transition from Judo to a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) with Team Hayastan.
2008: Olympic Bronze Medalist
Ronda Rousey won a bronze medal in Judo at the 2008 Summer Olympics, becoming the first American woman to do so.
2008: Rousey Adopts Veganism
Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ronda Rousey embraced a vegan lifestyle.
August 6, 2010: Amateur MMA Debut and Victory
Ronda Rousey made her debut in amateur mixed martial arts on August 6, 2010, defeating Hayden Munoz by submission in just 23 seconds.
November 12, 2010: Tuff-N-Uff Quarterfinal Win
Ronda Rousey continued her success in the Tuff-N-Uff 145 lbs women's tournament, submitting Autumn Richardson in the quarterfinals on November 12, 2010, with an armbar in 57 seconds.
January 7, 2011: Tuff-N-Uff Semifinal Win and Decision to Turn Pro
Ronda Rousey won her Tuff-N-Uff tournament semifinal match against Taylor Stratford by technical submission on January 7, 2011. Following this victory, she decided to transition to professional MMA and withdrew from the tournament, concluding her amateur career with a perfect 3-0 record.
March 27, 2011: Professional MMA Debut and Victory
Ronda Rousey officially entered the world of professional mixed martial arts with her debut fight at King of the Cage: Turning Point on March 27, 2011, where she defeated Ediane Gomes by submission in 25 seconds.
June 17, 2011: Victory at Hard Knocks Fighting Championship
On June 17, 2011, Ronda Rousey submitted Charmaine Tweet with an armbar in 49 seconds at the Hard Knocks Fighting Championship: School of Hard Knocks 12 in Calgary, Canada.
July 30, 2011: Strikeforce Debut Postponement
Ronda Rousey's scheduled Strikeforce debut against Sarah D'Alelio, initially planned for July 30, 2011, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, was postponed.
August 12, 2011: Controversial Victory at Strikeforce Challengers 18
On August 12, 2011, Ronda Rousey defeated Sarah D'Alelio by technical submission due to an armbar in the first round at Strikeforce Challengers 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The victory was controversial due to conflicting claims about D'Alelio's verbal submission.
November 18, 2011: Victory and Intention to Challenge Miesha Tate at Strikeforce Challengers 20
Ronda Rousey won against Julia Budd via submission due to an armbar in the first round at Strikeforce Challengers 20 in Las Vegas on November 18, 2011, dislocating Budd's elbow. Following the fight, Rousey announced her plans to challenge Miesha Tate for the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship.
2011: MMA Debut with King of the Cage
Ronda Rousey began her mixed martial arts (MMA) career with King of the Cage in 2011.
2011: Jiu-Jitsu Training
Ronda Rousey began training in Jiu-Jitsu at Dynamix MMA under Henry Akins in 2011.
March 3, 2012: Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion
On March 3, 2012, Ronda Rousey became the new Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion by defeating Miesha Tate in the first round by submission due to an armbar, dislocating Tate's elbow in the process.
August 8, 2012: Showtime Special and Media Appearances
Ronda Rousey was featured in the Showtime special "All Access: Ronda Rousey" which premiered on August 8, 2012. During the program, UFC President Dana White hinted at Rousey's potential future dominance in women's MMA. Rousey also made an appearance on the talk show "Conan."
August 15, 2012: Second Installment of Showtime Special
The second part of the Showtime special "All Access: Ronda Rousey" aired on August 15, 2012, further showcasing her career and life.
August 18, 2012: Successful Title Defense and Bantamweight Challenge at Strikeforce: Rousey vs Kaufman
On August 18, 2012, Ronda Rousey successfully defended her Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship against Sarah Kaufman at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman in San Diego, California. She won by submission due to an armbar in 54 seconds. Following her victory, Rousey announced she was open to fighting Cris Cyborg, but only in the bantamweight category.
November 2012: First Female Fighter to Sign with UFC
In November 2012, Ronda Rousey made history by becoming the first female fighter to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was officially announced as the first UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion at the UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz pre-fight press conference.
2012: Rousey's Dietary Shift to Paleo and Warrior Diets
In 2012, Ronda Rousey transitioned away from veganism, adopting a diet that combined elements of the Paleo and Warrior diets, aiming for a more comprehensive approach to nutrition.
2012: Rousey Discusses Judo Strategy
In 2012, before her first match with Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey discussed how her judo background influenced her fighting style, emphasizing her focus on conditioning, pace, and wearing down opponents.
2012: Approval of "Rowdy" Nickname
Ronda Rousey, initially hesitant to use the nickname "Rowdy" given to her by friends out of respect for wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, received Piper's personal blessing to use the nickname sometime around 2012 after being introduced to him through Gene LeBell, their shared trainer.
2012: Rousey's ESPN The Magazine Body Issue Feature
In 2012, Ronda Rousey appeared nude on the cover and in a pictorial for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.
February 23, 2013: Victory and Jaw Dislocation at UFC 157
Ronda Rousey successfully defended her Bantamweight Championship title against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 on February 23, 2013, winning by submission due to an armbar in the first round. Despite her victory, Rousey sustained a dislocated jaw during the fight.
May 2013: Rousey Ranked on Maxim Hot 100
Ronda Rousey was ranked 29th on the Maxim Hot 100 list in May 2013.
September 2013: Rousey Featured in Maxim
Ronda Rousey was featured on the cover and in a pictorial for the September 2013 issue of Maxim magazine.
December 28, 2013: Victory and Physical Challenges at UFC 168
Ronda Rousey successfully defended her Bantamweight Championship against Miesha Tate at UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, submitting Tate via armbar in the third round. Rousey later revealed she had been recovering from muscle loss due to film commitments and hadn't regained full strength for the fight.
2013: Approval of "Rowdy" Nickname
Ronda Rousey, initially hesitant to use the nickname "Rowdy" given to her by friends out of respect for wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, received Piper's personal blessing to use the nickname sometime around 2013 after being introduced to him through Gene LeBell, their shared trainer.
February 22, 2014: First TKO Victory and Controversy at UFC 170
On February 22, 2014, Ronda Rousey secured her first career win by a method other than armbar, defeating Sara McMann by TKO after a knee to the body in the first round at UFC 170. The stoppage was considered premature by some, sparking controversy.
July 5, 2014: Knockout Victory and Performance Bonus at UFC 175
Ronda Rousey won by knockout against Alexis Davis just 16 seconds into the first round at UFC 175 on July 5, 2014. The victory earned her a Performance of the Night bonus, but she also fractured her thumb during the fight.
August 17, 2014: The Four Horsewomen Debut at WWE SummerSlam
On August 17, 2014, the Four Horsewomen (Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir) were acknowledged on camera at WWE's SummerSlam event. The group met with Paul Heyman backstage and Rousey hinted at a possible future in wrestling during a WWE.com interview.
2014: The New Yorker Feature
Ronda Rousey was featured in The New Yorker magazine in 2014.
2014: espnW's Impact 25 Recognition
Ronda Rousey was named one of espnW's Impact 25 in 2014, recognizing her influence and achievements in the world of sports.
2014: Rousey's Acting Debut in "The Expendables 3"
Ronda Rousey made her major motion picture debut in 2014, co-starring in "The Expendables 3."
2014: Continued Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling Training
Ronda Rousey continued her Jiu-Jitsu training with various instructors, including the Gracie brothers, until 2014. She also trained in wrestling with Leo Frîncu.
2014: Film Debut in "The Expendables 3"
Ronda Rousey appeared in her first film, "The Expendables 3", in 2014.
February 28, 2015: Historic Victory at UFC 184
Ronda Rousey defeated Cat Zingano with an armbar in just 14 seconds at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015, setting a new record for the shortest match in UFC championship history at the time.
March 29, 2015: Rousey's WrestleMania 31 Appearance
At WrestleMania 31 on March 29, 2015, Ronda Rousey made a surprise appearance alongside The Rock. She physically confronted Stephanie McMahon, teasing the crowd with her signature armbar, and hinted at a future return to WWE.
April 2015: Rousey's Visit to Armenia for Armenian Genocide Centennial
In April 2015, Ronda Rousey traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, paying her respects at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide memorial.
July 2015: Browne Accused of Domestic Violence
In July 2015, Travis Browne, while still married, faced accusations of domestic violence from his wife, Jenna Renee Webb, prompting a UFC investigation.
August 1, 2015: Knockout Victory and Tribute to Roddy Piper at UFC 190
On August 1, 2015, at UFC 190 in Brazil, Ronda Rousey defeated Bethe Correia by knockout 34 seconds into the first round. Rousey dedicated her victory to "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who passed away the previous day, acknowledging his inspiration and support in her use of his nickname.
August 2015: Rousey and Browne Dating Rumors Surface
Rumors of Ronda Rousey dating Travis Browne emerged in August 2015 after a picture of them surfaced, leading to accusations from Browne's estranged wife.
October 2015: Rousey and Browne Confirm Relationship
Travis Browne confirmed his relationship with Ronda Rousey in October 2015, and Rousey herself confirmed it the following day.
October 2015: Rousey Makes History as First Female Guest Host on ESPN's SportsCenter
Ronda Rousey achieved another milestone in October 2015 when she became the first female athlete to guest host ESPN's SportsCenter.
November 15, 2015: Loss of Title and Undefeated Streak at UFC 193
Ronda Rousey faced Holly Holm in the main event at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015, and despite being favored to win, she lost her title and undefeated streak after being knocked out in the second round. Both fighters received a Fight of the Night bonus for their performance.
November 18, 2015: Medical Suspension
Three days after her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, Ronda Rousey was medically suspended by the UFC on November 18, 2015.
December 9, 2015: Medical Clearance
Ronda Rousey was medically cleared to return to fighting on December 9, 2015, after her suspension following her loss at UFC 193.
2015: Voted Best Female Athlete of All Time
In a 2015 ESPN fan poll, Ronda Rousey was voted the best female athlete of all time.
2015: Rousey Graces Cover of Men's Fitness Australia
In 2015, Ronda Rousey became the first woman to be featured on the cover of Australian Men's Fitness, appearing on their November edition.
2015: Rousey's Film Appearances in "Furious 7" and "Entourage"
In 2015, Ronda Rousey appeared in the film "Furious 7" and played herself in the movie "Entourage."
January 2016: Rousey Makes History on The Ring Magazine Cover
Ronda Rousey made history in January 2016 by becoming the first mixed martial artist and the second woman ever to appear on the cover of The Ring magazine.
January 23, 2016: Rousey Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
Ronda Rousey showcased her comedic side by hosting the January 23, 2016, episode of the late-night variety show "Saturday Night Live," which featured Selena Gomez as the musical guest.
February 2016: Rousey Featured on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Ronda Rousey was featured in body paint as one of three cover athletes on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in February 2016.
February 16, 2016: Public Disclosure of Suicidal Thoughts
Ronda Rousey revealed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on February 16, 2016, that she had contemplated suicide following her knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
December 30, 2016: Loss at UFC 207
After over a year away from UFC, Ronda Rousey returned to face Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016. Rousey lost the fight via TKO early in the first round.
2016: Rousey's Political Endorsement of Bernie Sanders
Ronda Rousey publicly expressed her support for Bernie Sanders during the 2016 United States presidential election.
2016: Retirement from MMA
Ronda Rousey retired from MMA in 2016.
2016: Cancellation of "Road House" Remake
The planned remake of "Road House," which was to star Ronda Rousey, was canceled in 2016.
April 20, 2017: Rousey and Browne's Engagement
Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne got engaged in New Zealand on April 20, 2017.
August 28, 2017: Rousey and Browne's Wedding
On August 28, 2017, Ronda Rousey married Travis Browne in Hawaii.
September 12, 2017: The Four Horsewomen Support Baszler at Mae Young Classic
On September 12, 2017, the Four Horsewomen showed their support for Shayna Baszler during her WWE debut at the Mae Young Classic. The group also engaged in a face-off with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Bayley, hinting at a future rivalry.
January 28, 2018: Rousey Makes Surprise Appearance at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2018, Ronda Rousey surprised fans with an appearance at the Royal Rumble, confronting Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Asuka. ESPN simultaneously announced her full-time WWE contract, marking a major turning point in her career.
July 9, 2018: Rousey Announced as Pre-Order Bonus Character in "WWE 2K19"
Ronda Rousey was confirmed as a pre-order bonus character for the video game "WWE 2K19" on July 9, 2018.
July 2018: UFC Hall of Fame Induction
Ronda Rousey, while not formally retired, indicated in 2018 that a return to MMA was as likely as returning to the Olympics for judo. In July 2018, she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
2018: Induction into the UFC Hall of Fame
Ronda Rousey was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, the first female fighter to receive this honor.
2018: Appearance in "Mile 22"
Ronda Rousey appeared in the film "Mile 22" in 2018.
2018: Professional Wrestling Debut
Ronda Rousey began her professional wrestling career, signing with WWE in 2018.
January 17, 2019: Rousey to Voice Sonya Blade in "Mortal Kombat 11"
Ronda Rousey's voice acting talent was enlisted for the video game "Mortal Kombat 11," where she voiced the character Sonya Blade. This was confirmed on January 17, 2019.
January 28, 2019: Rousey's Championship Reign and WrestleMania 35 Loss
On January 28, 2019, shortly after retaining her title against Bayley, Ronda Rousey continued her feud with Becky Lynch, leading to a triple threat match at WrestleMania 35 against Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Rousey lost the match, ending her championship reign at 231 days.
August 18, 2019: Rousey Joins "9-1-1" and Suffers On-Set Injury
On August 18, 2019, it was announced that Ronda Rousey would be joining the cast of Fox's "9-1-1" as a recurring character, Lena Bosko. However, she sustained injuries to her left hand on her first day of filming, leading to a fractured ring finger and a broken middle finger.
2019: Rousey Turns Heel After SummerSlam Loss
Following her controversial loss to Liv Morgan at SummerSlam 2022, Ronda Rousey turned heel for the first time since 2019. This turn marked a shift in her persona and led to a more aggressive and ruthless character in WWE.
February 18, 2020: Rousey's First Facebook Gaming Stream for Charity
Ronda Rousey made her debut on Facebook Gaming on February 18, 2020, with her first stream, during which she generously donated all proceeds to charitable causes.
April 21, 2021: Rousey Announces Pregnancy
Ronda Rousey announced her pregnancy on April 21, 2021, revealing she was expecting her first child.
September 2021: Rousey Hosts "Rowdy's Places" on ESPN+
In September 2021, Ronda Rousey explored the world of combat sports as the host of "Rowdy's Places" on ESPN+, a ten-episode series featuring conversations with experts in MMA, wrestling, and boxing.
September 27, 2021: Rousey Welcomes Daughter
Ronda Rousey gave birth to her daughter, La'akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne, on September 27, 2021.
January 2022: Rousey Ranked Among Richest MMA Fighters
In January 2022, Ronda Rousey was ranked among the top 20 richest MMA fighters, with a net worth of US$12 million, being the only woman to achieve this recognition.
January 29, 2022: Rousey Returns to WWE at Royal Rumble
Ronda Rousey made her return to WWE at the Royal Rumble on January 29, 2022. She entered the Women's Royal Rumble match and won, earning a championship match at WrestleMania 38.
November 30, 2022: Rousey Joins "Raid: Shadow Legends" as Playable Character
Ronda Rousey was introduced as a playable character in the game "Raid: Shadow Legends" on November 30, 2022.
2022: Return to WWE
Ronda Rousey returned to WWE at the 2022 Royal Rumble.
2022: Valentina Shevchenko Surpasses Rousey's Record
Valentina Shevchenko surpassed Ronda Rousey's record for the most UFC title defenses by a female in 2022.
2022: Rousey Wins Second SmackDown Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey won her second SmackDown Women's Championship in 2022, solidifying her position as a dominant force in WWE. This victory came after a series of intense matches and rivalries.
October 2023: Departure from WWE and Independent Circuit Debut
Ronda Rousey left WWE in October 2023 and began wrestling on the independent circuit.
October 26, 2023: Rousey's Surprise Return to Wrestling
On October 26, 2023, Ronda Rousey made a surprise return to wrestling, teaming with Marina Shafir to defeat Brian Kendrick and Taya Valkyrie at a Lucha VaVoom event.
October 28, 2023: Rousey's Wrestling Revolver and Ring of Honor Debuts Announced
On October 28, 2023, it was announced that Ronda Rousey would make her debut with Wrestling Revolver on November 16, 2023.
November 16, 2023: Rousey's Wrestling Revolver Debut
Ronda Rousey debuted in Wrestling Revolver at their UNREAL event in Los Angeles on November 16, 2023, teaming with Marina Shafir in a no-contest match against Athena and Billie Starkz.
2023: Rousey's Residence in Venice, California
As of 2023, Ronda Rousey resides in Venice, California.
2023: Ronda Rousey's Return to WWE and Subsequent Departure
In 2023, Ronda Rousey returned to WWE after a hiatus, forming an alliance with Shayna Baszler. They achieved success, winning the Women's Tag Team Championship, but their partnership ended at Money in the Bank. Rousey subsequently faced Baszler in a losing match at SummerSlam and later announced her retirement from WWE.