Ronda Rousey’s New Motto Is ‘F**k Them All,’ Including Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor
The former UFC women’s bantamweight champ is preparing for her comeback by getting mad.
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Ronda Rousey has a new motto as she prepares for her comeback fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207— “FTA,” or “F**k them all.” It’s a brash, in-your-face expression of the anger she felt after her loss to Holly Holm last year. Anger at herself for agreeing to take a fight without time to prepare. Anger at those who cheered her loss. And anger at everyone who, in the 13 months since, has doubted her ability to return.
In a splashy ESPN The Magazine profile published today, Rousey explains that as much as the loss to Holm crushed her, it has also allowed her to take back her life. “That loss saved me from becoming what I hate,” she says. “One of those people who live their lives to impress everyone else. Who put up a front for the world to admire.”
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Instead, she’s retreated into herself and to her mountain cabin, where’s she focusing on being happy. It’s that instinct that compelled her to call out two of the biggest fighters in the world—one of whom has replaced her as the UFC’s marquee name during her absence from the Octagon.
“If money is the motivation, then f— you,” she says. “All these Money people… Money [Floyd] Mayweather, Money [Conor] McGregor.”
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Rousey is not motivated by money. She already has more than she needs. So why come back and fight again after such a long layoff? Why risk physical injury and mental destruction? Because she wants redemption.
“I want to be able to walk away with my head held high,” Rousey says. “It’s like a painter looking at what he made and knowing it’s not done yet. You could get away with it. You could sell that painting and it would sell. But you’ll always know it was never as good as it could have been. I don’t want ‘Good enough’ to be my legacy.”