The very existence of women’s divisions in the UFC can be credited largely to one trailblazing woman: Ronda Rousey. As the famous story goes, UFC President Dana White once declared that women would never fight in the UFC. But less than two years later, in 2012, the Las Vegas-based promotion held its first women’s fight, marking a significant shift in the sport’s history. The catalyst behind this dramatic change? Ronda Rousey herself. With her tenacity and undeniable talent, Rousey managed to convince Dana White that female fighters could not only hold their own in the Octagon but also draw huge pay-per-view numbers.

Rousey’s impact on the sport was nothing short of revolutionary. She quickly became one of the most popular athletes in combat sports, transcending the UFC and becoming a household name. However, this meteoric rise came at a cost. In a recent revelation, the former UFC champion admitted that her path to success involved decisions that have led to lingering resentment among a significant portion of the UFC fanbase.

What exactly did Rousey do to cement her place in UFC history, and why has it sparked such lasting controversy? The answer reveals a complex legacy—one that continues to spark debate among fans and fighters alike.

Ronda Rousey claims money made her decide to be the villain

Speaking to the ‘Ring The Belle’ YouTube channel, Rousey revealed that the grating, cocky, and loud-mouthed personality most fans know Rousey as was a persona she put on for the fans. Seeing that there was no female fighter who wanted to be a heel, the judoka decided to become the villain to try and corner the market for that niche.

Of course, this is a tried and tested strategy used successfully by the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor, and Colby Covington to sell pay-per-views off of fans hating them and wanting to see them humbled.

“One thing I saw in women’s MMA when I came on the scene is everybody wanted to be the babyface, everybody wanted to be universally liked. Nobody wanted to piss anyone off and it was making everything boring. So I was like I’ll be the designated b**ch, you know. I was sleeping in my car and everybody was cool with me,” she said.

‘Rowdy’ revealed that since she was struggling financially at the time she joined the UFC she decided to go all in and be hated by fans and fellow fighters alike if that meant more people would buy her fights.

“I’d rather be a big old b**ch and you know, get some really nice dog food and and not have to worry about being evicted every time I get a parking ticket. Like who cares. It’s working out great for me. I would just volunteer to be that sacrificial lamb because it really doesn’t actually affect my life in a negative way if people have the wrong perception,” Rousey added. However, it seems she has taken a small step to try and correct the perception around her with a long overdue apology.

‘Rowdy’ apologizes from fans decade after controversial tweet

One of the key moments that led MMA fans to turn against Ronda Rousey was when she shared a conspiracy theory video about the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. Although the former UFC champ deleted the video almost immediately, the damage was done, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many fans. Now, over a decade later, Rousey has finally apologized for her mistake, revealing that she has been wanting to make amends for years.

“I can’t say how many times I’ve redrafted this apology over the last 11 years… But 11 years ago, I made the single most regrettable decision of my life,” Rousey confessed in a heartfelt statement on Twitter. “I watched a Sandy Hook conspiracy video and reposted it on Twitter. I didn’t even believe it but was so horrified at the truth that I was grasping for an alternative fiction to cling to instead. I quickly realized my mistake and took it down, but the damage was done.” Her remorse was evident as she expressed regret for her actions and the hurt they caused.

While her apology has been well-received by some, it hasn’t dramatically shifted public opinion among combat sports fans. Rousey has long embraced her role as a heel, a character fans love to hate, and her controversial persona has drawn criticism from both UFC and WWE audiences.

Ironically, being the villain has paid off handsomely for Rousey. As she admitted in a recent interview, she doesn’t care much about what others think of her, and this attitude has earned her significant paychecks in both the UFC and WWE. Not to mention, it has also made her a global superstar. In the end, embracing her role as a heel has been a massive success for Rousey.

What are your thoughts on Rousey’s recent revelations?