Ariel Helwani has identified the former champion and MMA superstar who may be the most overrated fighter in history in his opinion.
Many arguments are made in favour of mixed martial arts. Fans and commentators never run out of issues to debate, from the overall and divisional GOAT debates to the finest in each sport’s specialty.
The most overrated fighter ever was brought up on a recent episode of The MMA Hour. The host Helwani’s response will either have you nodding in agreement or getting out your pitchforks.
Helwani said:
“I think you could make a case for Ronda (Rousey) being the most overrated fighter. The level of competition wasn’t as great, and she didn’t end up being as good as people were saying at the time.”
“Remember when we were talking about her versus Floyd (Mayweather)? Remember when we were talking about her being Mike Tyson? Come on.”
Ronda Rousey is a former women’s judo professional and bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She was regarded as MMA’s brightest celebrity while she was at her peak.
Rousey entered the octagon as the women’s bantamweight champion in 2012 after switching to the cage in 2011 and amassing a 6-0 record.
During a strong run of defenses, Rousey overcame opponents like Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano in six victories on the MMA’s grandest stage. Helwani said that Rousey’s fame and skill were at an all-time high. Some even wondered how she would do against the legendary Floyd Mayweather.
The then-UFC champion was supported by commentator Joe Rogan, Jon Jones, and CEO Dana White.
White said: “You put Ronda Rousey in any fight situation — a street fight, a mixed martial arts fight, not only does she beat Floyd, she’ll hurt Floyd really bad.”
However, Rousey left the sport after suffering two crushing defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She then dabbled in professional wrestling, where she presently competes for WWE.
Despite Rousey’s reputation as one of the greatest still being strong, many have moved Rousey down on the list of all-time female greats.
Some people like former two-division titleholder Chael Sonnen have claimed that Rousey may have been overhyped at the time. The current #4-ranked women’s strawweight Mackenzie Dern even made the implication that she anticipates surpassing Rousey in terms of fame.