Ronda Rousey: A Fighter’s Journey From MMA To WWE And Beyond

How Much Is Ronda Rousey Worth, and What’s Her Career Been Like?

Hey there, sports fans. Let me tell you about Ronda Rousey, the trailblazer who’s made waves in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), professional wrestling, and even Hollywood. Ronda has a net worth of $14 million, and she’s done it all with grit, determination, and a whole lot of heart. Born and raised in Riverside County, California, Ronda started as a judo star, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. But that was just the beginning of her incredible journey. She transitioned into MMA, becoming one of the most dominant fighters in the sport. Her skills didn’t stop there—she’s also taken on acting roles and become a WWE superstar. Let’s dive deeper into her story, shall we?

Before Ronda became the face of women’s MMA, she was making headlines in the judo world. She earned her first Olympic medal in 2008, becoming the first American woman to win a bronze in judo. That’s right, folks—she paved the way for future athletes. Rousey didn’t stop there. She quickly moved on to MMA, where she became the Women’s Bantamweight Champion in Strikeforce and later the UFC. Her signature move, the armbar, was legendary. Fans couldn’t get enough of her quick and decisive victories. One of her most memorable fights was against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157, where she defended her title and solidified her place in MMA history.

But even legends face challenges. In 2015, Rousey suffered a shocking defeat to Holly Holm at UFC 193, ending her undefeated streak. And in 2016, she lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, marking another turning point in her career. But here’s the thing about Ronda—she’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. After those losses, she didn’t just fade into the background. Instead, she set her sights on new horizons.

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Rousey’s talents extended beyond the octagon. She’s appeared in films like "The Expendables 3," "Furious 7," and "Entourage," showcasing her versatility. Her acting career proved that she wasn’t just a fighter; she was an entertainer with range. But wait, there’s more. In 2018, Rousey made the leap to professional wrestling, signing with WWE. She quickly became a fan favorite, capturing the WWE Raw Women’s Championship and holding it for an impressive 231 days. Her battles with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair were nothing short of epic.

Her Early Days

Ronda Rousey wasn’t always the powerhouse we know today. Born on February 1, 1987, in Riverside County, California, she faced her own battles from the start. Due to complications during her birth, she struggled with a speech disorder until she was six years old. Her parents moved the family to Jamestown, North Dakota, so she could receive specialized speech therapy at Minot State University. It wasn’t easy, but Ronda’s determination shone through early on. Her mom, AnnaMaria De Mars, was a trailblazer in her own right, becoming the first American woman to win a World Judo Championship. Ronda’s father, Ron Rousey, tragically passed away when she was just eight years old, leaving a lasting impact on her life. Despite these challenges, Ronda found her voice and her passion, eventually dropping out of high school to earn her GED and pursue her dreams.

Ruling the Judo World

When Ronda was just 11 years old, she started practicing judo with her mom. By the time she was 13, she was training with professional instructors, and by 17, she had qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She became the youngest judo competitor there and the first American to win two Junior World medals. In 2007, she moved up to the 70kg category, ranking among the top three women in the world. Her crowning achievement came in 2008 when she won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, making history as the first American woman to do so. After retiring from judo at 21, Ronda worked odd jobs to make ends meet, bartending and waiting tables in Venice Beach while figuring out her next move.

Entering the MMA Arena

By 2010, Ronda was ready for her next challenge. She joined Team Hayastan and began training in MMA under the guidance of Edmond Tarverdyan at the Glendale Fighting Club. She also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Dynamix MMA with Henry Akins from 2011 to 2014. Her MMA debut came in August 2010, where she defeated Hayden Munoz in seconds with her signature armbar. That move, which she credits to her mom’s playful wake-up calls with an armbar, became her trademark. Ronda quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2011. She then transitioned to the UFC, where she became the first female fighter to sign with the promotion and the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in 2012.

Rousey successfully defended her title against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in 2013, despite dislocating her jaw during the fight. She continued to dominate, defending her title in 2014. But every fighter has their day of reckoning. In 2015, Ronda faced Holly Holm at UFC 193 and was defeated for the first time in her career. The loss was a tough pill to swallow, but Ronda showed resilience by returning to face Amanda Nunes in 2016. Unfortunately, she lost that fight too, but she left her mark on the sport. In 2018, she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Her Biggest UFC Paydays

Thanks to a class-action lawsuit against the UFC, some of Ronda’s earnings were revealed in 2023. Over seven fights between 2013 and 2016, she earned a staggering $18 million in guarantees, bonuses, and Pay-Per-View revenue. Here’s a breakdown of some of her biggest paydays:

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• $574,720 (vs. Liz Carmouche)
• $1,817,907 (vs. Miesha Tate)
• $870,969 (vs. Sara McMann)
• $1,063,688 (vs. Alexis Davis)
• $1,458,282 (vs. Cat Zingano)
• $2,642,204 (vs. Bethe Correia)
• $4,476,662 (vs. Holly Holm)
• $4,879,766 (vs. Amanda Nunes)

Endorsements and More

Ronda’s success wasn’t just in the octagon. In 2015, she defeated Cat Zingano in just 14 seconds, earning $65,000 to show up, $65,000 for the win, and an estimated $1 million Pay-Per-View bonus. Between June 2014 and June 2015, Ronda raked in $6.5 million in prizes and endorsements. She’s worked with brands like Monster headphones, Carl’s Jr., Reebok, and MetroPCS. In 2015 alone, she earned $14 million from fights, endorsements, and media appearances. For her fight against Amanda Nunes in 2016, she was paid $3 million just to show up.

Her Wrestling Journey

Ronda didn’t stop with MMA. In 2018, she signed with WWE, becoming a full-time wrestler. She quickly became a fan favorite, capturing the WWE Raw Women’s Championship in 2018. Her reign lasted 231 days, making her the second-longest-reigning Raw Women’s Champion. She faced off against top talent like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, delivering unforgettable matches. In 2022, she won the Royal Rumble and later captured the SmackDown Women’s Championship twice, cementing her legacy as a three-time women’s world champion in WWE.

Her Acting Career

Ronda’s talents extend beyond sports. She’s appeared in films like "The Expendables 3," "Furious 7," and "Entourage." She also had a recurring role on the Fox series "9-1-1" and hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 2016. Her acting career shows that she’s more than just a fighter; she’s a true entertainer.

Her Personal Life

Ronda’s personal life has been just as eventful as her career. She dated fellow UFC fighter Brendan Schaub before starting a relationship with Travis Browne in 2015. Despite Browne’s complicated past, they got engaged in 2017 and married later that year. In 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter. Ronda’s life outside the ring is filled with love and family.

Her Real Estate Ventures

In 2015, Ronda bought a bungalow in LA’s Venice neighborhood for $1.4 million, which she listed for sale in 2024 for $1.9 million. But that’s not all—she’s also a rancher. In 2017, she purchased a 2.4-acre ranch in Riverside, California, and later expanded her holdings with 4,000 acres in Southern Oregon. She raises cows and chickens ethically, calling her properties "Browsey Acres." Ronda’s passion for ranching shows that she’s always looking for new adventures.