Ronda Rousey, the former UFC champion and professional wrestler, has opened up about the difficulties she faced during her UFC career and her struggles with concussions. In a recent interview, Rousey discussed how her overwhelming responsibilities as the face of women's MMA hindered her growth as a fighter.

During her UFC career, which spanned less than four years, Rousey competed in eight fights, successfully defending her title six times. Her star power and influence helped bring women into the UFC, but UFC CEO Dana White believes that it also took a toll on Rousey's development as a fighter.

White stated, "While she was building the sport and the UFC and women, all these other women were training to beat her. She had so much on her shoulders that it was impossible for her to keep growing as a fighter during that time." Rousey acknowledged this, saying that she tried to put the sport on her back and promote it as hard as she trained.

Rousey's dedication to promoting the sport and her grueling training regimen left little room for personal growth or choosing fights strategically. Despite the immense pressure she faced, Rousey believes that her efforts were instrumental in advancing women's MMA.

However, Rousey's fighting career was not without its challenges. She revealed for the first time that she had been dealing with the lingering effects of concussions throughout her athletic career. Her history of concussions started as early as six years old when she was involved in swimming.

Rousey confessed that if concussions had not been a concern, her fight career might have taken a different path. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging cumulative neurological injuries in MMA, a topic that is often overlooked. As a fighter, she felt the need to hide any weaknesses or vulnerabilities, but she now realizes the long-term consequences of head injuries.

Since retiring from UFC and focusing on her pro wrestling career, Rousey has been more vocal about her concussion history. She hopes that her openness will encourage other fighters to address their own struggles with similar issues.

Rousey expressed her concern for the longevity of fighters and their well-being, stating, "I want all of these fighters to be able to get old gracefully and be able to hold their grandkids and not be another of those cautionary tales."

As Ronda Rousey continues to advocate for the well-being of fighters and raise awareness about the impact of concussions, her legacy as a trailblazer in women's MMA grows stronger. Her honesty and determination to protect the future of the sport are a testament to her enduring commitment to the MMA community.