Ronda Rousey did not speak to the media during UFC 207 fight week and did not attend the post-fight press conference following her loss to Amanda Nunes.
UFC fighter Ronda Rousey announced she would take some time to contemplate her future in the sport after Amanda Nunes knocked her out in 48 seconds at Friday’s UFC 207 in Las Vegas.
On Saturday afternoon, speaking for the first time, Rousey released a statement to ESPN.
The full statement is here:
“I want to say thank you to all of my fans who have been there for me in not only the greatest moments but in the most difficult ones. Words cannot convey how much your love and support means to me.
Returning to not just fighting, but winning, was my entire focus this past year. However, sometimes — even when you prepare and give everything you have and want something so badly — it doesn’t work how you planned. I take pride in seeing how far the women’s division has come in the UFC and commend all the other women who have been part of making this possible, including Amanda.
I need to take some time to reflect and think about the future. Thank you for believing in me and understanding.”
Amanda Nunes, 28, defeated Rousey by knockout in just 48 seconds in the UFC 207 main event Friday night in Las Vegas. Nunes won the title from Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July via first-round submission. Rousey, 29, dropped the belt by second-round knockout to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015 after a dominant run as champion going back to 2013.
Ronda Rousey’s mom wants her to retire following loss at UFC 207
De Mars told TMZ.com: “I would like to see her retire, I would have liked to see her retire a long time ago. Who wants to see their kid get hit? Cause she’s got a lot of talent in a lot of other things. Movies, writing, producing, she’s really, really smart. I told her that at the beginning when she started this.
I said you’re smart and beautiful — let the stupid people get punched in the face. Sorry stupid people.”
When Rousey left the Octagon on Friday night she did so with her arm wrapped around her mother, who was sitting cage side during the title fight main event at UFC 207.
“I think making snap decisions like that is probably not the best idea so I don’t know,”
“I think she’s an adult and she can make her own decisions. If you get in a fight with somebody or you are angry with somebody, thats not the time to make decisions. I think decisions are best made when you’re not really emotional and obviously losing something is a real emotional thing.” De Mars said about Rousey’s future.
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