
via Reuters
Cast member Selena Gomez poses at the premiere for the film “Dolittle” in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

via Reuters
Cast member Selena Gomez poses at the premiere for the film “Dolittle” in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey has a long list of accomplishments and thus boasts a remarkable resume. The Olympic medalist, UFC champion, and Hollywood actor once took the stage as a host to the popular show Saturday Night Live. The opportunity came knocking on her door after the bantamweight fighter’s first UFC loss. However, the baddest woman on the planet found support from the musical guest, Selena Gomez.
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The ‘Rowdy’ was roped in as the host of the second SNL of the year 2016. Along with a star-studded cast, the MMA fighter-turned-wrestler started the NBC show with a bang.
Ronda Rousey and the 2016 SNL
After a heart-wrenching defeat against Holly Holm at UFC 193, the ‘Rowdy’ took a break from the Octagon action. Thus, she stayed away from the public eye for a while. During this break, NBC approached the former UFC champion with the intention to start 2016 with the 12-2 record holder in the host’s shoes.

via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 13: UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey of the United States poses for photos during the UFC 193 Ultimate Media Day festivities at Etihad Stadium on November 13, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Further, the popular singer Selena Gomez helmed with the musical guest duties. Notably, both eminent personalities in their respective fields graced the stage as first-timers.
The duo displayed their remarkable acting skills in multiple skits and, in particular, a hilarious skit called “Bland Man” that parodied The Bachelor. However, the UFC star and other females lost the race to the ultimate winner, Selena Gomez.
Watch This Story: Ronda Rousey’s best finishes
Significantly, the 35-year-old fighter became the first MMA fighter and third female athlete to host the show. Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and tennis player Chris Evert previously hosted the comedy show that started in 1975.
Selena Gomez and Ronda Rousey’s mental health struggles
Just a month after hosting the SNL, the current WWE star opened up about her mental health struggles. In a conversation with Ellen DeGeneres, the Furious 7 star admitted that after her UFC 193 loss, she contemplated killing herself. Further, ‘Rowdy’ confessed, “‘I’m nothing… no one gives a shit about me anymore without this.”
Ronda Rousey ultimately retired from MMA in 2016 and made the switch to WWE in 2018.
The Hollywood star Selena Gomez confessed on Miley Cyrus’ talk show, ‘Bright Minded’, that she was bipolar. Further, she admitted that gathering more information helped the 30-year-old singer.
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Miley Cyrus & Selena Gomez | Live (7) #MileyAndSelenaLive pic.twitter.com/GgrTDbeCWE
— Brazilian Selenator (@realselenatorbr) April 3, 2020
The singer previously had experienced anxiety and depression. Significantly, the star is also the subject of Apple+ new documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me” which explores how a bipolar disorder diagnosis changed her life.
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What do you think of this unheard feat of Ronda Rousey? Let us know in the comments below.
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