Ronda Rousey is days away from her MMA return, with "Rowdy" set to headline Most Valuable Promotions' Netflix card against Gina Carano on May 16.
The build-up has already carried a heavy emotional pull, after Netflix released footage of Rousey being shown an old message from Kobe Bryant.
The NBA legend sent it after Rousey's crushing 2015 defeat to Holly Holm. He died in January 2020, more than four years after offering support at her lowest sporting point.
Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
The video shows MVP CEO and co-founder Nakisa Bidarian sending Bryant's words to Rousey, who becomes visibly emotional as the meaning lands years later.
"No way. You cannot be a legend without getting knocked on your a—. People can't relate to perfection. They relate to a beautiful struggle," the former Lakers star said.
"She will be loved more than she could ever have imagined. All she needs to do is get up and try again with her head held high."
"What the f— is a story without tragedy? No tragedy equals no hero. Show her this message. I'm in her corner 1,000%."
The message is powerful because Bryant understood the brutality of public failure. Rousey had not just lost a fight, she had lost the aura that made her feel untouchable, and that changed everything.
Before Holm, Rousey was unbeaten in MMA and 6-0 in the UFC, with every win in the promotion coming by knockout or submission.
That made the shock even sharper. Holm's knockout did not simply cost Rousey the title, it changed how her career was viewed from that point forward.
Rousey fought only once more in the UFC, losing to Amanda Nunes by knockout in December 2016 before stepping away from MMA.
That is why Bryant's message now feels so timely. As Rousey prepares to return, it frames her comeback around resilience rather than perfection.
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