Ronda Rousey may be undefeated as a mixed martial arts fighter, but no title she can garner will compare to the one she failed to win -- Olympic gold.
Rousey, a 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist who has since become 12-0 as a professional MMA fighter and next fights Nov. 15, was asked Tuesday what motivates her.
“I still get it from never winning the Olympics,” she said. “That was my childhood dream. I spent my whole life in pursuit of that. I had to give that up, and I had to really come to terms with the fact that wasn’t for me. I’ve always really been heartbroken from that in a way, and in a way that I’m still really grateful for because I think if I did win the Olympics, I wouldn’t have this never-ending resource of motivation that I have. Every single time I go out there to defend my title, it’s like another chance to redeem myself, but it’s never quite an Olympic gold medal, and that’s how I really stay motivated.
“In judo, you train your whole life, and you have one day to be an Olympic champion, and that’s it. ... Nothing can compare to that pressure.”
MORE ROUSEY: Kayla Harrison recalls how Rousey left judo
