Ronda Rousey’s fiery personality and intense competitiveness extended beyond the confines of the UFC octagon, as evidenced by a heated exchange with fellow fighter Paige VanZant. Following Rousey’s shocking defeat to Holly Holm at UFC 193, VanZant’s public expression of support for Holm apparently drew Rousey’s ire.
According to Miesha Tate’s account on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2016, Rousey confronted VanZant with a profanity-laced tirade, accusing her of disloyalty for congratulating Holm on her victory. Rousey’s verbal outburst reportedly caught VanZant off guard, leaving her surprised and disappointed by the former champion’s behavior.
VanZant later shared her perspective in an interview with TMZ Sports, expressing her shock at Rousey’s reaction. She defended her actions, stating that congratulating the victor is a customary act of sportsmanship and found Rousey’s response “shocking and totally unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, VanZant is preparing to make her in-ring debut against Elle Brooke for the Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight title on May 25. Despite Brooke’s lack of prior professional fighting experience, VanZant acknowledges her opponent’s toughness and dedication to training, likening her approach to preparing for a formidable opponent like Felice Herrig in her UFC debut.
With VanZant’s focus squarely on her upcoming bout, she remains determined to put in the necessary work and preparation, treating Brooke as a serious competitor regardless of their differing backgrounds. As she gears up for what promises to be a challenging fight, VanZant is committed to giving her all in the ring, drawing on her past experiences to ensure she is ready for battle.
