Ronda Rousey, a big name in fighting, got real about her rough knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on December 30, 2016. She spoke about it before stepping into WWE wrestling at WrestleMania in 2018. Ronda felt super low after that fight, but her husband, Travis Browne, helped her see she’s more than just a fighter. Joe Rogan, who calls UFC fights, was amazed by how strong Nunes was that night. This story shows how Ronda turned a bad moment into something new and what she’s up to now.
A Hard Night in 2016
Ronda faced Amanda Nunes in Las Vegas for the UFC bantamweight title. She wanted to win it back after losing it to Holly Holm in 2015. But Nunes was too fast and tough. She hit Ronda hard with punches, and the referee stopped the fight after just 48 seconds. Joe Rogan watched it all and said, “Wow,” right after. He added,
“Flawless performance by Amanda Nunes. Stunning, devastating victory by Nunes,” as she walked around the cage quieting the crowd. “She lit Ronda up like a Christmas tree,” Rogan said, meaning Nunes landed tons of big hits.
Feeling Down After
Ronda didn’t talk much right after losing. Later, before her WWE debut, she shared how it felt.
“I remember my last fight, walking away thinking God hates me,” she said in 2018. That loss hurt her heart a lot. “I had nothing left in me,” she told people.
It was a dark time, and she didn’t know what to do next after being so great in UFC.
Ronda’s husband, Travis Browne, a former UFC fighter too, pulled her out of that sadness.
She said, “My husband is amazing, and he really brought me out of some tough times.” Travis told her, “You’re not only this. You’re more than just a fighter.” That made Ronda feel better. “And that’s not a bad thing, that’s not something I should be ashamed of,” she said. “It’s something I should embrace and showcase to the world, and that’s why I’m here.” His words gave her strength to try wrestling.
Ronda was a superstar before that loss. She won a judo bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and then ruled UFC. She took the bantamweight title in 2012 and beat lots of fighters fast, like Alexis Davis in 16 seconds. Her record was 12 wins and no losses until Holly Holm knocked her out in 2015. The Nunes fight was her comeback try, but it didn’t work.
Moving to WWE
By 2018, Ronda was ready for something new. She joined WWE and debuted at WrestleMania 34, teaming up with Kurt Angle to win a match. She said joining WWE was a dream she had since she was little. Travis’s support helped her shine in wrestling instead of fighting. She stayed with WWE until 2023, then stepped away from combat sports completely. She never said for sure she wouldn’t fight in UFC again, leaving fans guessing.
After her second baby with Travis, folks thought Ronda was done with fighting for good. Fans got excited for a UFC comeback at UFC 300 in April 2024, but UFC boss Dana White said no way. Then in March 2025, Ronda posted pictures of herself training again. She even worked out with Cat Zingano, an old UFC rival she beat in 2015. That got everyone buzzing about maybe one more UFC fight.
Amanda Nunes kept winning after beating Ronda. She held the bantamweight title until 2022 and even won the featherweight belt too. Joe Rogan’s words about her “stunning victory” were right, she became one of the best ever. She retired in 2023 with a record of 23 wins and 5 losses.
