Ronda Rousey: 'The word art is in mixed martial arts for a reason'
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey breaks down how mixed martial arts is one of the more ‘responsible’ methods of taking out aggression.
In a recently released clip from director Vlad Yudin’s upcoming documentary The Hurt Business: A Deeper Look at MMA, former UFC champion Ronda Rousey broke down her views on the state of mixed martial arts in the eyes of the casual fan.
Rousey, 29, is one of the primary subjects of the film, which opens Sept. 29.
During the clip, the former champion revealed her belief that practicing mixed martial arts is one the safest, most responsible methods of dealing with pent of aggression.
“I think a lot of people that are ignorant about [MMA] think that it promotes violence, when it really is the most responsible outlet for it,” revealed Rousey. “It’s a human instinct to fight, and if you try to suppress it entirely and put everyone in a bubble-wrapped society, that’s when people end up going nuts and shooting movie theaters.
“If any of those people that had all of that aggression built up in them had some sort of outlet, I think that we would have a lot more societal health.”
Rousey (12-1), an Olympic bronze medalist, has not been seen inside the Octagon since Holly Holm walked away with her 135-pound title after slapping her across her head at UFC 193 last November.
Before this setback, the woman known as ‘Rowdy’ reigned atop the UFC’s 135-pound women’s division as it’s unstoppable champion.
In July 2014, it took Rousey just 16 seconds to finish Alexis Davis with strikes in their title fight at UFC 175. She followed this up with a record setting 14-second submission win over Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February 2014. She followed this up with another sub-minute victory, this time over Bethe Correira at the 34-second mark at UFC 190 in August 2015.
But even with such a terrifying mystique surrounding her, Rousey revealed she pictures herself more of an artist looking to capitalize on her opponent’s flaw than a violent person looking to inflict as much damage as possible
“It’s not violence for the sake of violence,” Rousey said. “The word ‘art’ is in it for a reason. When I go in there, yeah, I’m fighting, but really what I’m trying to do is outsmart the other person. It’s a puzzle to be solved.
“I’m not going in there and spazzing out, swinging my hands — lifting weights so I can swing my hands even harder. It’s more mental and tactical than anything else, and I think it’s the purest, most beautiful sport in the world.”
The film will also focus on former UFC champions Jon Jones, Rashad Evans and Holm.
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