According to reports from MMA Junkie, womens fighting pioneer and undefeated bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is eyeballing retirement. Let's not get crazy just yet. The stand-out UFC star is setting a projected target of two more years in the cage before she hangs up her gloves. She has only fought in the UFC one time, making quick work of Liz Carmouche via 1st round submission. (Guess what submission she used.) With her next fight against long time rival, Miesha Tate, Rousey promises that she will remain focused on her UFC career until that inevitable day of departure arrives.
So why now (or in two years)? Why leave in the infancy of her UFC career? The first reason is safety. "I am the best fucking fighter in the world, and I truly believe that, but you're still rolling the dice no matter who you are, so I do have to kind of set up an exit strategy." The second reason hinges upon opportunity cost. Sure, Ronda is quickly becoming one of the most famous and successful fighters in the history of the sport. But to be honest, there is a certain ceiling that comes with MMA, while alternate outlets could very well provide greater, more lasting opportunities. One such outlet is the movie business. With plans to play a role in The Expendables 3 as well as a rumored role in Fast and Furious 7, cinema seems to be the next venue that Rousey will take by storm.
Ronda is a winner; plain and simple. Whether she's breaking people's arms in the Octagon or doing it on the big screen, she is sure to kick ass either way. Her true impact on the world of MMA will be sorted out in hindsight, many years from now. But it seems inevitable that her footprint on the sport will be praised for years to come. So if she wants to make a decision that betters her life, who are we, as fans, to stand in her way. Let's just enjoy the time she has left and do our best to appreciate the greatness that she possesses. Thank you Ronda. #BeatMiesha.
