Raising Ronda Rousey by AnnMaria De Mars (aka Ronda Rousey’s Mom)

Whenever someone is successful in accomplishing something that teeters on the brink of history, the question is usually the same: Wow, I never expected that. Where did she get that kind of drive?

In the case of UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, that is an easy question to answer… her mom.

Considering the accomplishments of AnnMaria De Mars (aka Ronda’s mom), it isn’t quite as surprising that Rousey has risen to the heights that she has. De Mars has a PhD in educational psychology, was the first American to win a World Judo Championships, and is an accomplished mother.

Rousey followed closely in her mother’s footsteps, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. And now, of course, she is the first UFC women’s bantamweight champion.

But what was it like raising Ronda? That’s another good question, and one that’s better left to — who else? — her mom.

Check out AnnMaria De Mars’ UFC 157 open workout interview below…