At 21 years old, after winning almost every possible judo medal a young American woman can, Rousey retired. She gave a non-Olympic life a shot and moved in with a roommate in California.
This turned out to be harder than winning medals. She supported herself and her dog by working three jobs and then realized it was all becoming too much.
The Winner Takes It All
Rousey qualified for the 2004 Olympics but unfortunately lost her first fight. She didn't let that loss bring her down, though.
She fought at the World Championships in Hungary that year and snatched the gold medal for her country. It was her first win of many.
Another Olympic Round
The 2008 Olympic games found Ronda ready to take on whatever opponent she faces. She put up great fights but ended up losing the quarterfinals by a near-tie. The results were actually so close she got a second chance to qualify for the medal rounds.
She took the opportunity with both hands, fought hard, and won the bronze medal. She became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo!
Welcome to MMA
When Rousey was still training in judo, she had some training partners who transitioned into MMA fighters. Those former training partners suggested that this could be just what Rousey needs to do next in her life.
Tired of her ordinary jobs, Rousey decided to take their advice and embark on an MMA journey — a decision that changed her life.
The First Fight
Rousey's first MMA fight was in the summer of 2010. The fight was epic.
The fight was epically short. It only lasted 23 seconds, during which she obliterated her opponent faster than you can blink. It was a great start for Rousey.