Ronda Rouseyhas recently revealed that the accumulative neurological injuries she sustained during her early days in Judo were a significant factor in her eventual downfall in the UFC.
Rousey, who started Judo at the age of six, said that she suffered multiple concussions regularly, and this took a toll on her later in her fighting career. “If the concussions weren’t an issue, things would’ve happened completely differently,” Rousey told CBS Sports.
The study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that Judo has the highest competition injury rate among Olympic combat sports, with the injury rate near double that of wrestling. The study also revealed that the proportion of injuries resulting in more than seven days of absence from competition or training was higher in Judo, Taekwondo, and Wrestling compared to Boxing.
Rousey acknowledged that the issue of accumulative neurological injury is something that is not often discussed in the world of MMA. “It’s something that everybody is dealing with at a different pace. I started dealing with it at six years old,” she said.
The former UFC champion has been vocal about her struggles and has criticized various aspects of her career, including fans, fellow fighters, and even commentator Joe Rogan. However, her latest revelation about the impact of her childhood concussions may shed some light on the challenges she faced in the octagon.
While concussions are a serious issue in combat sports, Rousey’s remarks have not been met with universal sympathy. Some fans and critics have argued that she has used up any goodwill or grace she had from fans by blaming everyone else for the end of her UFC career.
Nevertheless, Rousey’s comments highlight the importance of addressing the long-term effects of concussions in combat sports, particularly for athletes who start training at a young age. As the sport continues to evolve, it is crucial that the well-being of the athletes remains a top priority, and that steps are taken to minimize the risk of such injuries.
