Ronda Rousey’s Comeback and the Controversial Presence of Sean Strickland
Ronda Rousey, one of the most iconic figures in mixed martial arts (MMA), has given her approval for Sean Strickland, a controversial UFC middleweight champion, to attend her highly anticipated comeback this weekend. This decision comes despite Strickland’s previous “derogatory” comments about Rousey’s return earlier in the year.
Strickland made headlines in February when he expressed his belief that women are “too empowered” and stated he had “no interest” in seeing Rousey come out of retirement to fight Gina Carano. His remarks sparked significant backlash from fans and the MMA community.
The bout between Rousey and Carano will be the main event of Sunday’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) card on Netflix. The event is expected to draw massive attention, not only because of the fighters involved but also due to the controversy surrounding Strickland’s potential attendance.
MVP boss Nakisa Bidarian revealed on Friday that Strickland had reached out to him requesting free tickets to the event. However, Bidarian emphasized that the decision to allow Strickland into the venue would require Rousey’s approval.
“I got a request from Sean Strickland, but I need to talk to Ronda because he was very derogatory about Ronda and Gina,” Bidarian said. “He was disrespectful and saying inappropriate things. While we would love to have him as a UFC champion, you can’t disrespect the headliners and call for free tickets.”
At the pre-fight press conference, Rousey was asked if she would allow Strickland into the building. She responded with a laugh, saying: “Sure, he can come. I’m glad it has to go through me now. Come on over. We can convert anyone.”
A New Era for Ronda Rousey
After nearly a decade away from the sport, Rousey is making a bold return, armed with a team of top-tier coaches and support staff. Her training setup is world-class, and she has access to full mental support for her comeback. This marks a stark contrast to her early days in MMA, where she operated with limited resources and coaching support.
In the beginning, Rousey trained out of a storefront fight club in Glendale, California, under the guidance of Edmond Tarverdyan. Despite her loyalty to Tarverdyan, many questioned his expertise, even prompting Rousey’s own mother, AnnMaria De Mars, to publicly criticize him.
When asked about her time with Tarverdyan, Rousey reflected: “We accomplished a lot, but I think we went as far as we could together.” She has since embraced a more structured and professional approach to her training, aiming to showcase what she can achieve outside of her self-imposed boundaries.
A Supportive Coaching Team
Rousey’s return to MMA began last year when her husband, former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne, encouraged her to work with his longtime trainer, Ricky Lundell. Initially, Rousey wasn’t fond of Lundell, but his enthusiasm and dedication quickly won her over.
Under Lundell’s guidance, Rousey has experienced a transformation in both her physical and mental preparation. Lundell, known for coaching elite fighters like Jon Jones and Frank Mir, has brought innovative techniques and a high level of organization to Rousey’s training.
Lundell even modified his home to create a state-of-the-art training environment, including a sauna, cold tub, and hyperbaric chamber. He provides Rousey with detailed debriefs after every session and holds regular video calls to analyze her progress. This level of data-driven coaching is something Rousey had never experienced before.
“He always keeps me in a great mind space,” Rousey said. “He keeps it very positive while still challenging me and giving me what I need. I’ve never seen a cat that’s so organised. … A lot of training camps are very disjointed, and there’s a lot of egos pushing against each other. Ricky is really great at just team building and keeping everybody on the same page and coordinated.”
From MMA to Acting and Beyond
After losing her final two UFC fights, Rousey realized she needed to prioritize her health, particularly her increasing susceptibility to concussions. She stepped away from the sport to pursue acting and professional wrestling, eventually marrying and starting a family with two children.
“I had to allow my body to rest and heal,” Rousey said. “I’m ready to make a comeback, and I believe this is the right time.”
