Ronda Rousey: It is ‘an immense honor’ to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Well, it’s official. Women’s MMA pioneer Ronda Rousey, who was instrumental in paving the way for women to fight in the UFC, will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July.

The leading fight promotion announced the news during Saturday’s UFC 225 pay-per-view, which saw Robert Whittaker defend his middleweight title against Yoel Romero in an epic, five-round main event.

Rousey, the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, reacted to the news on social media and told fans that it is an ‘immense honor’ to join the ranks of MMA’s most legendary athletes.

“This is an immense honor, to not only take part in bringing women to the forefront of this sport, but now the Hall of Fame. May I be the first of many,” Rousey posted on Instagram.

Rousey, 31, stepped away from the sport after two devastating back-to-back losses to Holly Holmand Amanda Nunes. She was viciously knocked out in both fights and her stock as an MMA fighter plummeted. Most fighters, however, have suffered brutal KO losses in the past and are still listed amongst the all-time greats, as is ‘Rowdy’.

The former Olympic bronze medalist made the transition to WWE earlier this year and signed a full-time contract with the professional wrestling league after making sporadic appearances backstage and in the ring from 2014-2017.

While Rousey hasn’t officially retired from the world of mixed martial arts, the sporting icon has said she’s more likely to compete in the Olympics than ever return to the UFC.