Ronda Rousey hasn’t spoken much to the media since being on the receiving end of a 48 second between by UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, but her nutritionist hasn't hesitated to speak out. Mike Dolce, one of the most respected nutrition coaches in MMA right now, says that one of the reasons Rousey hasn’t spoken about the loss is due to the insane amount of pressure she puts on herself.
“I can say externally, she does put a lot of pressure on herself to win, like most great athletes do in every sport,” Dolce said in The MMA Hour. “Ronda, I believe, of all the athletes I’ve worked with, and I’ve worked with the greats — ‘Rampage Jackson,’ Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort, I’ve worked with some of the best ever — Ronda puts more pressure on herself than any of those athletes. She does have this unique desire to win, not just for herself, but to win for everyone who supported her, but also to spite those who have hoped against her.”
Rousey spoke about the suicidal thoughts she had after her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Dolce says she’s in a much better spot after her loss against Nunes.
“I’ve been with athletes — and I don’t want to name names — that just destroy locker rooms, as you’re probably aware, they destroy hotel rooms, they become extremely despondent and belligerent to the people closest to them,” Dolce said. “Ronda doesn’t do any of that. So I think it’s just different. Each athlete is different. Their internal drive is different. Their external representation of what’s happening inside is different. Ronda becomes rather quiet and standoffish. She needs her space, which is very important. Some athletes, they act out in a more aggressive manner.”
Rousey is currently riding a two fight losing streak, but she is a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and a former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
