Many star athletes try to stay in the game long after their abilities have started to slip. According to Ronda Rousey, the UFC star will not be one of them. The 28-year-old fighter appeared on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast Monday, and dropped the following bombshell:
“I don’t want to be fighting in my 30s. By 30s, I mean 31, 32.” Rousey clarified, “If you’re actually 30 years old, that’s not 30s — that’s 30. Once you add into 31, that’s 30s, plural.”
Regarding her ideal curtain call, Ronda Rousey hinted that a much-anticipated fight with Cris “Cyborg” Justino would be a fitting way to end her career. Fans have been clamoring for a match between the two UFC champions for years. However, the bantamweight Rousey has insisted that the featherweight Justino drop to Rousey’s weight class before they meet in the octagon. “If she never steps up, I’ll know,” Rousey said. “I’ll probably go on a little longer waiting for her [to drop in weight], see if she shows up sooner rather than later. I don’t know how much longer I’d go.”
As for her post-UFC career plans? One can only speculate that Rousey may look to build on her current popularity in mainstream films. Rousey has made cameo appearances in a number of Hollywood movies and will be filming a Peter Berg-directed action film “Mile 22” starting in January.
While Ronda Rousey’s rabid fans will certainly be unhappy to hear that their favorite fighter may be calling it quits sooner than expected, there’s still reason to remain hopeful that the UFC star will have a change of heart. Rousey certainly left the door open for extending her fighting days past the age of 30. “It seems unfinished — my career,” she said. “There’s more left to do. I don’t feel like I’m done yet. With the Olympics, you win an Olympic gold medal and you’re done. With the UFC, when am I done?”
