2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Story of the Year – Rise and fall of Ronda Rousey

In the 12th of 13 stories that look back at the best-ofs for 2015, MMAjunkie names our Story of the Year: the rise and fall of Ronda Rousey.

We had no shortage of major events this year (Jon Jones’ arrest, the Anderson Silva-Nick Diaz drug-testing saga, Conor McGregor’s rise to the top, USADA and Reebok, among others), but a simple look at MMAjunkie’s Google Analytics makes it clear that the story of the year was the rise and fall of Ronda Rousey.

MMAjunkie’s biggest traffic weekend of the year? Rousey’s dominant win over Bethe Correia at UFC 190. Second biggest? Rousey’s stunning upset loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Third biggest? Rousey’s quick win over Cat Zingano at UFC 184.

Love her or hate her (and it seems everyone does), Rousey captures an MMA audience like no other. For years we’ve debated whether MMA is “mainstream” and whether the sport has finally hit the big time. This year, arguably more than any other, introduced MMA to the uninitiated, and Rousey was leading the charge.

Sure, Rousey’s calendar year ended with a busted lip, a quick departure from the spotlight, and more than a few happy critics. But is redemption in store? Regardless, it’s bound to be another significant storyline this year.

Other winners include:

• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Gym of the Year – American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Robbery of the Year – Dariush over Johnson, UFC Fight Night 73
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Round of the Year – Lawler vs. MacDonald, Round 5, UFC 189
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Newcomer of the Year – Sage Northcutt
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Coach of the Year – Mike Winkeljohn of Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Comeback of the Year – Uriah Hall vs. Gegard Mousasi
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Comeback Fighter of the Year – Evan Dunham
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Upset of the Year – Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey at UFC 193
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year – Valentina Shevchenko
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Female Fighter of the Year – Joanna Jedrzejczyk
• 2015 MMAjunkie Awards: Breakout Fighter of the Year – Liam McGeary