WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Ronda Rousey speaks during Reebok Women's Luncheon, hosted by Ronda Rousey, on March 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Reebok)
On Thursday, Ronda Rousey made MMA history by becoming the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Rousey, 31, was the company’s first female champion and successfully defended the women’s bantamweight title six times from 2012 to 2015. She also went on a 12-bout undefeated streak, all victories coming via submission and 11 of them coming after just one round. Rousey has also set records for four of the five quickest finishes in the history of her weight class.
In her induction speech, Rousey thanked fans for their strong support.
“I am not the first person who had the ability to do this, but I am here because I am the first person you took the time to watch,” Rousey said in her speech. “That you put the energy into supporting. Because of you, I am the first woman standing up here accepting this incredible honor. May I be the first of many.”
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In presenting Rousey with the honor on Thursday, UFC President Dana White admitted he was wrong when he stated in 2011 that women would never be able to fight in the company.
“In my almost 18 years as UFC president, I’ve learned many valuable lessons,” White said. “And the one that comes to mind tonight is never say never, especially when you’re talking to UFC. In my defense, when I famously said women would never fight in the UFC, I had never met Ronda Rousey. I had never met the woman who would change everything. She started by changing my mind and she ended up changing the world.”
Rousey also competed as a judo wrestler at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she won a bronze medal. She is the first American-born woman to have won this award.
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Rousey also lost her last MMA match, a fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in Las Vegas in December 2016. Rousey has also had cameos or supporting roles in several Hollywood films, including Entourage (2015), Furious 7 (2015) and The Expendables 3 (2014).
Along with Conor McGregor and Brock Lesnar, Rousey has drawn some of the UFC’s highest ratings over the last four years.
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