MMA Video Classic: Ronda Rousey Tossing a BJJ Black Belt, Talks Transition from Olympics to MMA

Ronda Rousey today is the first UFC women’s bantamweight champion. She’s 6-0, winning every single fight by armbar in the first round. She’s become a media magnate, and carries the weight of women’s MMA on her shoulders as she steps into the Octagon at UFC 157 on Saturday night to square off with fellow UFC history maker Liz Carmouche.

There was a time, however, when Rousey’s career was just ramping up; when she held a ton of promise as a former Olympian, but had yet to gain the traction that she has today.

Take a look back at a classic MMAWeekly.com video with Rousey as she tosses around a BJJ black belt in preparation for just the fourth fight of her career – against Julia Budd under the Strikeforce banner – and talks to Erik Fontanez about making the transition from Olympian to fighter.

And, yes, she was confident in her skills, even back then in 2011.