Ronda Rousey tops the list of MMA Payout’s biggest MMA business stories of 2015. Her popularity turned polarizing as the year ended with a surprising upset loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
Rousey started off 2015 with a quick win against Cat Zingano at UFC 184. The event, from Los Angeles, had her up against the biggest challenge for her thus far in her UFC career. Still, it took just 14 seconds for her to submit Zingano. The event was a surprising PPV success garnering 600,000 buys. The event showed that Rousey was a draw, if not the top draw for the company.
A social media campaign around her title defense at 184 proved successful.
Rousey only made a base of $65K (and an additional $65K to win). However, the LA Times reported that she would make $1 million from her fight.
Rousey starred in the movie “Entourage” and is slated to star in several other movies with shooting beginning in the early part of 2016.
She also made an appearance at WrestleMania with The Rock which was a publicity boon.
Rousey returned to the Octagon at UFC 190 in Brazil. She put down Bethe Corriea in less than a minute.
Rousey’s popularity is not limited just to the UFC or MMA. Google and Yahoo! Search engines reflect that she is a popular search item. She was the top trending athlete for Google in 2015 and the 5th rated overall trending search in the United States. She was also the most searched athlete of 2015 according to Yahoo’s search engine.
At only 28, Rousey released her autobiography, “My Fight/Your Fight,” in 2015. Rousey also appeared on Good Morning America, a first for a UFC/MMA fighter to announce her fight with Holly Holm (originally for January 2nd but was subsequently moved up). She also appeared on Ellen. Notably, Ellen released the promo on her microsite for UFC 193 which featured Rousey prior to it being sent out all over.
Girls can grow up to be anything they want. Just look at my friend, UFC fighter @RondaRousey. http://t.co/0d6DVejYCW
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 2, 2015
Rousey became a very popular and marketable figure. She was able to open and bridge a new demo for the UFC: women, especially younger women. She was featured by Cosmopolitan and made appearances on female-centric shows like The View, Ellen and Good Morning America. She has major sponsor deals with Reebok, Carl’s Jr., Buffalo Jeans, Monster Energy Drink just to name a few.
But other outside issues came under scrutiny. Rousey got into a media spat with Ariany Celeste at UFC 184. Her relationship with Travis Browne was questioned as Browne was accused of domestic violence by her estranged wife earlier in the year. Despite Browne announcing their relationship in an interview, Rousey did not want to talk about it and hung up on a UFC media call when asked about it. Many questioned her attitude and her outburst at the weigh-ins at UFC 193 as they seemed out of the ordinary.
Her inner circle had issues too. Her long-time trainer Edmund Tarverdyan claimed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy citing that he has not made any money despite being Rousey’s exclusive trainer for years. Notably, prior to the news of Tarverdyan’s bankruptcy, Rousey’s mother spoke out about him.
Despite her loss, she was chronicled by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne in December. She will also be on the cover of the new EA Sports UFC game which will come out this spring. Rousey was named to be on the cover with the other spot open for the winner of Jose Aldo-Conor McGregor.
Rousey indicated that she would take a leave from the Octagon prior to her fight with Holly Holm. This would be due to shooting the remake for “Road House” and not because she is thinking retirement. With the loss to Holm, one would think that Rousey would like to get back into the Octagon sooner than later. But, the heir of invincibility is gone. Will her popularity remain or has Holly Holm usurped this from her along with the UFC women’s bantamweight title? We should expect Rousey returning to the UFC sometime in 2016 but where and when still seem up in the air.
No one celebrated Rousey’s loss like longtime mma fans. What an epic defeat, LOL.