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Ronda Rousey Blog Pt 1: "I made Miesha Tate look uneducated"
In just a few weeks I'm going to be fighting Miesha Tate for the Strikeforce women's 135lbs world championship title. It’s a match that she's resisted since the very beginning, but has snowballed into women’s MMA's most anticipated fight since Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg set ratings records for Showtime a few years ago.
It began with me defeating Julia Budd this past November in an admittedly brutal fashion, followed by me asking for the first shot at Miesha since she won her belt from Marloes Coenen. Miesha immediately protested, and as a result we had a now infamous debate on Ariel Helwani's show.
She was obviously less prepared for the debate than I was, as I treated the debate like a fight in itself. I saw the potential and importance of this opportunity, and looked up every article I could find arguing her point of view. I then wrote a counter argument to every single point they made and took turns with my friends playing both myself and her in "practice arguments."
By the time we were on the show she sounded uneducated and unprepared in comparison, conflicting herself and falling speechless on several occasions. Several months later while doing a round table press conference with her, Scott Coker, and myself.
I swear I could hear an echo in the room as she completely abandoned most of her original stances o the subject and adopted mine. The only thing she hasn't conceded on was the fact that she doesn't think I'm a "worthy" opponent and don't deserve to fight her.
If that is the case, I encourage her and her fans to put their money where their mouths are. Because at the moment I'm favored almost 4-1 in the Vegas odds, and I would like for my friends to actually make a decent profit for once off of one of my wins.
Funny isn't it? That a challenger who isn't deserving of a title shot is so heavily favored over the champion….
Though she's argued that I'm less experienced than her, not able to deal with pressure, and likely to mentally break after the first minute there's no way she can conceive the amount of pain, sacrifice, bravery, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles I've had to overcome to make it to this point.
I was literally born fighting. The umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck and my face was blue, everyone was scared that I died. Obviously I didn't, but there was some damage done. I was far behind my sisters and other children my age in speech, and could not speak coherently till I was around 6.
No one ever told me there was anything wrong with me, my Mom and Dad refused to let me feel abnormal. I just remember being frustrated all the time, because I knew in my head what I wanted to say, but for some reason no one could ever understand me; my words came out as gibberish.
My father most of all told everyone: "Ronnie is a sleeper. Just you watch, she's gonna show everyone and be the best of them one day." He would always tell me that I was destined for greatness. At the time I was swimming competitively and he would constantly tell me I was going to win the Olympics and be the best in the world someday.
Unfortunately my Dad died when I was 8 years old, and it was the most painful thing my family has ever been through… Swimming was something me and my dad would do together, and after his death I quickly lost my motivation to swim. Though I never lost the need to honor him and fulfill every expectation he had of me.
Several years later we moved to Los Angeles, my mother remarried, and things got better. My mother was the first American to ever win the world championships in judo, something she never talked about much when I was a kid. But she used to train at Tenri Judo in East LA during her prime in the 80's, so when we moved back to LA she went to visit her old teammates who had then opened up clubs of their own.
I took to judo right away and it soon replaced swimming as my number one passion. Swimming was very one-dimensional in comparison. You could do the breaststroke one way and the butterfly one way, but, once you'd mastered those skills, there was little room for creativity.
Judo, on the other hand, really encouraged creativity and individual flair. It allowed me to create my own style and personality and play around with the textbook. You could try things out, improvise a little and think outside the box. There were just so many different things to learn and pick up on, and that really excited me. I didn't feel I could necessarily learn how to become a better swimmer – you simply practice and practice until you hopefully one day became one. Judo was very much a learning process for me, though. It was something I could play with and make my own.
Mom was against me doing judo at first, she felt people would expect too much from me given who she was and what she had achieved in the same sport. It was actually her team-mates, who were my coaches at the time, who persuaded her to let me do it.
In all honesty, I didn't feel any additional pressure because of the fact my mother was previously involved in the sport. If anything, I'm the one that puts pressure on myself when it comes to goal-setting. I don't feel right unless there is some element of pressure. Some people crack under it, but I've always thrived. Six years after starting out, I made my first Olympic team. Maybe it was genetics, destiny, or both, but I really had a knack for it.
The whole reason I focused on judo to begin with was so that I could one day reach the Olympic Games and win a gold medal. That was literally my sole aim from day one, and nothing else crossed my mind from that point. I wasn't interested in being involved in judo to become a mere also-ran. Even after my very first practice, I remember thinking to myself, 'Yep, this is definitely going to work out – I'm going to win the Olympics'. It was all or nothing for me, and that same attitude carried over after transitioning to MMA.
Some people like to call me cocky or arrogant, but I just think "How dare you assume I should think less of myself? The problem isn't me thinking I can achieve any goal I set for myself, the problem is you projecting your own self doubt onto me."
My current goals are to revive women's MMA and solidify its place in the sport. The first step to achieving that goal is to beat Miesha Tate in impressive fashion on March 3rd. And there isn't a goddamn thing that can stop me.
Follow Ronda on twitter @RondaRousey
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Comments
Ari
Posted at 15:38 on February 16th 2012
Sick blog, you should frame her arm after you bring it home on 3/3.
Cheers
Anthony
Posted at 15:48 on February 16th 2012
"My current goals are to revive women's MMA and solidify its place in the sport. The first step to achieving that goal is to beat Miesha Tate in impressive fashion on March 3rd. And there isn't a goddamn thing that can stop me."
Daniel
Posted at 16:08 on February 16th 2012
The Ariel URL is broken, correct one is
http://video.answers.com/miesha-tate-ronda-rousey-debate-517216665
Elias Tucker
Posted at 16:15 on February 16th 2012
Ronda has expressed herself as well as anyone could do. She is the real deal. I have followed her career for years. If anybody has any doubts concerning this young woman, look at what she has accomplished through years of hard, demanding work.
Some people find her abrasive. That is their right. I find her to be refreshingly honest. What you see and hear is what you get. I am also a Miesha Tate fan and I will not be bashing her in any manner. She is an accomplished young woman as well.
Everyone should sit back and watch the fight and then we will find out who is the tougher lady. It should be a great match.
Antonio Felix
Posted at 17:33 on February 16th 2012
I see you, a being endowed with special powers, above a mere mortal. You already have everything in hand. Now it's you and your mind. Do not leave anything dirty penetrate his mind. No negative. Just training. Victory is yours.
Reality
Posted at 20:54 on February 16th 2012
You need to be unpredictable. She's going to try to get you in a clinch to the cage because in every fight she does, she goes in for the takedown early and if she can't get it, she likes to take her opponents to the cage. You need to stop her. Her striking is terrible. You can do it Ronda! I think you can win.
Chuck
Posted at 21:40 on February 16th 2012
Ronda Rousey seems to be trying to convince herself that she will handle the pressure and defeat Miesha Tate on March 3. However, her article is revisionist history. She has no idea of the considerable pressure she will face as she enters the cage to face a much more talented and experienced MMA fighter, Miesha Tate. Let's look at the facts. Above, Ronda mentions her goal to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Judo. It's not revealed in her article but the truth is Ronda failed to achieve that goal. Rousey DID NOT win an Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. She did not win a Silver Medal. In fact Ronda lost in the quarterfinals. The only reason she won a Bronze Medal is because of something called 'repechage' (French for re-fishing). In Olympic Judo, repechage allows a competitor who failed to finish in the top three medal spots, to have another chance. Ronda won that second chance match but what did she win? She won 4th place. You see, Olympic Judo actually awards two Bronze Medals! A commendable achievement but not 1st place Gold as she implies above. Ronda's favorite foods are Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream. Contrary to her claim, Rousey DOES NOT 'walk around' at 145lbs. She is much, much heavier. Her weight cut to 135lbs will leave her weak, confused and tired. This will be additional pressure she has never faced. The 4-1 odds? LOL, a gullible public has bought the pre-fight marketing nonsense spewed by Ronda and others. If the betting line holds, this will be one of the best betting values in female MMA. Take the price on Miesha Tate, she's the real deal.
john kusaba
Posted at 14:25 on February 17th 2012
everyone has a critical opinion... especially those who have never competed at an elite level... most likely like yourself. whether she medaled or not, won 1st or 2nd or 4th in the Olympics, that's a far greater stage in the entire world of athletic competition. give credit where credit is due buddy. the Olympic games is bigger than Strikeforce and the UFC. you're judging based on your own perception. you have no idea what Rousey has endured as an athlete. do you? perhaps you're a gold medalist as ranting behind your computer screen like all these trolls here. i want to see Ronda win... but would never take away credit from what Tate has done for the sport or for herself.
Ronda Rousey seems to be trying to convince herself that she will handle the pressure and defeat Miesha Tate on March 3. However, her article is revisionist history. She has no idea of the considerable pressure she will face as she enters the cage to face a much more talented and experienced MMA fighter, Miesha Tate. Let's look at the facts. Above, Ronda mentions her goal to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Judo. It's not revealed in her article but the truth is Ronda failed to achieve that goal. Rousey DID NOT win an Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. She did not win a Silver Medal. In fact Ronda lost in the quarterfinals. The only reason she won a Bronze Medal is because of something called 'repechage' (French for re-fishing). In Olympic Judo, repechage allows a competitor who failed to finish in the top three medal spots, to have another chance. Ronda won that second chance match but what did she win? She won 4th place. You see, Olympic Judo actually awards two Bronze Medals! A commendable achievement but not 1st place Gold as she implies above. Ronda's favorite foods are Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream. Contrary to her claim, Rousey DOES NOT 'walk around' at 145lbs. She is much, much heavier. Her weight cut to 135lbs will leave her weak, confused and tired. This will be additional pressure she has never faced. The 4-1 odds? LOL, a gullible public has bought the pre-fight marketing nonsense spewed by Ronda and others. If the betting line holds, this will be one of the best betting values in female MMA. Take the price on Miesha Tate, she's the real deal.
Joe
Posted at 16:33 on February 17th 2012
I'm a Ronda Rousey fan, but I can admit that I don't know what is going to happen on March 3. It'll be an exciting event and I'm looking forward to it.
For those so certain that it will be Miesha's night -- especially those like Chuck Rosseel who do so vociferously -- I say take up those dumb odds makers. Put your money where your mouth is. And when you rake in the bucks, you can come back here and laugh at the rest of us and tell us you were right.
By the same token, if things don't work out for Miesha, please (PLEASE) come back here, show your courage and admit your "analysis" was wrong in a new post, and that you're sorry for the snide post about Ronda. That would be the civil thing to do.
Finally, for my part, I really think this is a "food chain" problem. Take this example, if you were forced to pick who would win a high school football game between two teams that you knew nothing about except that one was the state high school football champion from California and the other the state high school champion from New Hampshire, which would you bet on?
The team from California sits atop a huge food chain. The champion from New Hampshire sits atop a food chain that is probably equivalent to one of California's mid-sized counties.
This, I think, is what impartial observers are looking at. No need to compare whether Miesha's wrestling pedigree matches up with Ronda's 4th degree Judo black belt. Just look at the food chain -- Ronda has been among the top predators of the world wide Judo food chain for a very long time. And that food chain is to Miesha's mma/wrestling food chain, what California's is to New Hampshire's.Chuck
Posted at 21:30 on February 17th 2012
everyone has a critical opinion... especially those who have never competed at an elite level... most likely like yourself. whether she medaled or not, won 1st or 2nd or 4th in the Olympics, that's a far greater stage in the entire world of athletic competition. give credit where credit is due buddy. the Olympic games is bigger than Strikeforce and the UFC. you're judging based on your own perception. you have no idea what Rousey has endured as an athlete. do you? perhaps you're a gold medalist as ranting behind your computer screen like all these trolls here. i want to see Ronda win... but would never take away credit from what Tate has done for the sport or for herself.
Ronda Rousey seems to be trying to convince herself that she will handle the pressure and defeat Miesha Tate on March 3. However, her article is revisionist history. She has no idea of the considerable pressure she will face as she enters the cage to face a much more talented and experienced MMA fighter, Miesha Tate. Let's look at the facts. Above, Ronda mentions her goal to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Judo. It's not revealed in her article but the truth is Ronda failed to achieve that goal. Rousey DID NOT win an Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. She did not win a Silver Medal. In fact Ronda lost in the quarterfinals. The only reason she won a Bronze Medal is because of something called 'repechage' (French for re-fishing). In Olympic Judo, repechage allows a competitor who failed to finish in the top three medal spots, to have another chance. Ronda won that second chance match but what did she win? She won 4th place. You see, Olympic Judo actually awards two Bronze Medals! A commendable achievement but not 1st place Gold as she implies above. Ronda's favorite foods are Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream. Contrary to her claim, Rousey DOES NOT 'walk around' at 145lbs. She is much, much heavier. Her weight cut to 135lbs will leave her weak, confused and tired. This will be additional pressure she has never faced. The 4-1 odds? LOL, a gullible public has bought the pre-fight marketing nonsense spewed by Ronda and others. If the betting line holds, this will be one of the best betting values in female MMA. Take the price on Miesha Tate, she's the real deal.
@John Kusaba
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment. You seem to have missed my point. My comment addressed Ronda Rousey's habit of stretching the truth and using puffery when boasting about her accomplishments. I said her Olympic Judo efforts were commendable. Ronda's article gave readers the impression she had won an Olympic Gold Medal. She didn't. She actually placed 4th. That's not my 'perception' as you stated, that is a fact. The pressure of fighting in a Strikeforce Championship Main Event is far greater than anything Ronda dealt with in the Olympics. Even she will acknowledge this. On March 3, she will fight in front of a huge crowd with millions watching on TV. Ronda never fought for the Olympic Gold Medal. Some of her Olympic matches took place while other competitors were fighting on the same floor at the same time. It was like a three ring circus. Ronda never fought in the Olympic 'main event'. Again, not my 'perception', just the truth. Then there's Ronda's claim to a natural walking around weight of 145lbs. That's not just an exaggeration, it's a flat out lie. During the 2008 Olympics Rousey competed in the women's 70 kg division. That is 155 lbs! She had to cut weight to make that division. Therefore her walking around weight four years ago was closer to 170 lbs than 145 lbs. She was @ 20-years-old and still growing. It's four years later. She has certainly put on weight. She must make a drastic weight cut to 135 lbs in order to compete March 3rd. She will be drained on fight night. This will compound the pressure she will feel. I support Women's MMA but Sarah Kaufman deserved to fight Miesha Tate. Ronda Rousey did a good job conning her way into this title fight and has injected some excitement into Women's MMA but her boasting should not go unchallenged. That doesn't make me a troll. It just demonstrates I'm a fan.
Chuck
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