This weekend Amanda Nunes took on and took out Ronda Rousey in a stunning 48-second span to secure the women’s bantamweight title, before a sold-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ronda Rousey has teamed up with Reebok to talk about finding strength in those moments of vulnerability, and perfection in her imperfections.
Last year, the UFC fighter was finally deafened in match against Holly Holm. The defeat came as shock to us all, having seen Rousey successfully defended her championship for three years.
In the new campaign, #PerfectNever, is a part of Reebok’s larger Be More Human campaign, and centres around a video (below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZNFH-jH-eo
The video stars Rousey first in an elegant dress, showing off her more public face. Then, she transitions to less-glamorous moments full of sweat and grit.
The point: Both of those versions of her are ultimately her. And focusing on what society might consider the “more perfect” scenario denies the reality of what it takes to be fully “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.
Perfect never gets to silence its critics. Perfect never gets a shot at redemption. So yeah, I’m fine not being perfect.”
On top of those issues, there’s the fact that Rousey is no stranger to body-shaming. Like many female athletes, she’s been on the receiving end of a barrage of online negativity.
Speaking at in a press release, Rousey said.
There are a lot of unrealistic standards being put on everyone. I think it’s good to have examples out there who say, ‘You know what, not everyone is always going to like you, but life will go on. You’ll be okay, and you can still love yourself.’”
Amanda Nunes, shocked the MMA world Saturday night after she defeated the heavily favoured Miesha Tate in Las Vegas to become the UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
Nunes’ victory made history as she is the first ever openly gay champion the UFC has ever crowned. She is also the first Brazilian woman to ever win a UFC championship belt.
Such a sureal moment. I'm the Champion / Meu Deus Meu Deus muito Obrigada!!! Eu sou Campeã!!! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iJZ7nEQCQp
Nunes screamed with joy after her hand was raised and the belt was placed around her waist.
After a touching embrace with the gracious Tate, Nunes spoke to UFC commentator Joe Rogan. “I feel amazing,” said an emotional Nunes who then spoke of her excitement to return to Brazil and celebrate with her family.
Nunes’ girlfriend is Nina Ansaroff, herself a UFC fighter, and they live in Orlando, Fla.
Nina is the best training partner I’ve ever had in my life. This girl is going to be the next UFC champion. I’m telling you. Look at her, she’s shy. This girl has so many talents. And she is going to be back in the cage soon and show everybody that she is going to be the next champion in UFC. It means everything to me. This girl, she helps me everyday. I love her. It’s amazing (to be first UFC gay champion). I am very happy with my life. That’s the most important thing.”
Nunes entered the fight with Tate as a big underdog, in terms of both media expectations and betting odds.
The native of Bahia, Brazil, who trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla, had a professional record of 12-4 going into the contest. Despite having won three fights in a row (including one by submission and one by TKO) it was considered surprising that the lesser-known fighter was given the opportunity to fight Tate for the women’s bantamweight crown.
Tate had earned the belt back in March when she beat Holly Holm and many had expected Tate to fight someone with more name recognition, such as former champion Ronda Rousey.
Despite the odds being against her Nunes walked to the cage smiling, clearly knowing something many fans and media members didn’t quite believe — that she had the power and tenacity to stop Tate in under four minutes.
As soon as the bell rung the fight was all Nunes. Quickly she began landing hard punches to Tate’s head, over and over, making the then-champion both dazed and bloody.
Eventually Nunes’ strikes buckled Tate.
Along with this achievement, she will also forever be known as the woman who not only gave UFC 200 its most electrifying moments, but who finished off that landmark card with a stellar (and ferocious) performance that will long be replayed and remembered.
What’s next for Nunes? Many believe Ronda Rousey’s self-imposed exile from the sport is coming to an end, and with MMA now legal in the state of New York, Nunes’ next fight could be at Madison Square Garden against the biggest star MMA has ever seen.
If that fight happens, it promises to be yet another historic night for both the UFC and world LGBTQ sports.
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