Ronda Rousey is one of the elite female athletes who has dedicated themselves some much to their profession.
She moved from being a UFC fighter to forging a career as a wrestler in the WWE over the years since her big break.
However, just like every other big female athlete, she faced some backlash and criticism when some explicit pictures of her made the Internet.
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Who Is Ronda Rousey?
She is a UFC and WWE Champion who has stayed relevant in the world of entertainment and wrestling.
She was born on February 1, 1987, in the United States. Ronda Jean Rousey had her life in Riverside, California.
She identifies as an American who has massive accomplishments in judo, MMA, and wrestling. She is the youngest of three daughters born to her parents.
Her mother’s name is AnnMaria De Mars. She is a distinguished judoka who made history in 1984 by becoming the first American to win a World Judo Championship.
Her father’s name is Ronald John Rousey. Her heritage includes English, Polish, Trinidadian, and Venezuelan roots.
Her maternal great-grandfather, Alfred E. Waddell, was a Trinidadian doctor who emigrated to Canada and became one of the first Black physicians in North America.
Her early life was marked by significant challenges, which all started right from the day her mother gave birth.
She was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, leading to a lack of oxygen and resulting in a speech disorder known as apraxia.
Her condition made it difficult for her to form intelligible sentences until the age of six while growing up.
Ronda’s family moved to Jamestown, North Dakota when she was three years old to access specialized speech therapy at Minot State University.
Tragedy struck her family when she was eight years old. Her father suffered a severe back injury while sledding with his daughters.
Complications from a blood disorder hindered his recovery, and upon learning that he would become a person with paraplegia and eventually a person with quadriplegia, he took his own life.
She faced difficulties with her education which led to her being homeschooled during parts of her early days.
Ronda eventually dropped out of high school but later earned her General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Her introduction to judo came through her mother, who began training her in the sport at a young age.
By 16, she had become the youngest judo competitor on the U.S. national team. Her judo career peaked when she won a bronze medal in the 70 kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Her triumph at the 2008 Olympics saw her become the first American woman in history to earn a medal in judo.
During some moments in her successful life, the Ronda Rousey’s nude scandal pulled up, but she was able to shut down the whole thing.
At a point in her life, she began dating Travis Browne in 2015. Her partner is also a fellow UFC fighter.
The couple got engaged in April 2017 during a trip to New Zealand and married on August 28, 2017, in Hawaii.
They welcomed their first daughter, La’akea Makalapuaokalanipō, in September 2021. They had their second daughter, Liko’ula Pā’ūomahinakaipiha, in January 2025.
Ronda is also a stepmother to Browne’s two sons from a previous marriage. She and her family reside in a farmhouse in Venice, California.
She has expressed that motherhood has brought her immense joy and has positively impacted her mental well-being.
Ronda UFC And WWE Career
Many who follow through journey know she is a rare kind athlete who has managed to succeed in three different professions.
She has carved a unique path through the worlds of judo, MMA, and wrestling, establishing herself as a trailblazer in each arena.
Her athletic journey commenced with judo, influenced by her mother who is a world judo champion.
At 15, she was named to the U.S. Olympic team, and by 16, she held the national No. 1 ranking in the women’s half-middleweight division.
Her dedication brought in a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, marking the first time an American woman won something.
Despite this achievement, financial struggles led her to retire from judo at 21. After her retirement, she faced hardships, including living out of her car.
She decided to transition into the MMA, which saw her make her amateur debut in 2010. She won her first three fights via armbar submissions in under a minute.
Her professional debut in MMA came in 2011, when she continued her trend, with a 25-second victory over Ediane Gomes.
Ronda prowess led her to become the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2012, with no one coming close.
She became the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, defending her title six times with notable victories, including a 14-second win against Cat Zingano.
Her reign ended in 2015 with a knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, which set a UFC attendance record with 56,214 spectators.
A subsequent attempt to reclaim the title in 2016 against Amanda Nunes resulted in another defeat, leading to her retirement from MMA.
In 2018, she decided to venture into wrestling, and immediately, she made her debut at WWE’s WrestleMania 34.
She quickly made an impact, winning the Raw Championship at SummerSlam and headlining WrestleMania 35 in 2019 as the first women’s match to do so.
Her WWE tenure included multiple championship reigns, and she became the first woman to headline pay-per-view events in both UFC and WWE.
Along the way, Ronda Rousey’s nude became a viral talk after pictures she took during her time at UFC faced backlash for nudity.
Beyond the ring, she has appeared in films like “The Expendables 3,” “Furious 7,” and “Mile 22.” She also wrote an autobiography, “My Fight / Your Fight,” which offers insight into her journey.
Ronda Nude Viral Moments
She has been at the center of several high-profile explicit photo moments, each reflecting her commitment to body positivity and personal agency.
In 2012, Ronda Rousey’s nude pose for ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue” saw her becoming the first female MMA fighter to do so.
The shoot featured her in athletic poses with strategic coverage, celebrating her physique and athleticism.
This appearance was a statement of empowerment, showcasing her confidence and challenging traditional beauty standards.
She further embraced body art by appearing in the 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, wearing only body paint designed to resemble a swimsuit.
The intricate artwork took 14 hours to complete. While the magazine released the official images, some behind-the-scenes photos leaked online, drawing widespread attention.
She has spoken openly about her decision to pose nude, revealing it was partly influenced by a past incident where an ex-boyfriend took unauthorized private photos of her.
While discovering those images, it prompted her to take control of her narrative by participating in professional nude shoots on her terms.
Her proactive approach was aimed at diminishing the impact of any potential unauthorized releases that might come up later.
Ronda Rousey’s nude moments did not only face heavy backlash, but she was able to pass her message and inspire many.
