The Magnitude of Ronda Rousey’s Fame Truly Revealed After Loss to Holly Holm

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey suffered her first career loss on Saturday to Holly Holm in the UFC 193 main event in Melbourne, Australia.

She destroyed her previous competition on her way to becoming the Strikeforce and UFC 135-pound champion. She defended her UFC belt six times. She’s starred in major motion pictures and appeared on every talk show imaginable. Rousey is the biggest star the UFC has ever had, by a considerable margin.

She ushered in the recent women’s fighting emergence on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. Her popularity has extended well beyond the confines of the MMA media. She’s become a household name.

She was awarded the 2014 and 2015 ESPY for Best Female Athlete, and the 2015 ESPY recognition for Best Fighter. She’s appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN Magazine’s 2012 Body Issue. She became the first female to grace the cover of Australian Men’s Fitness this month. Rousey has broken down barriers and pioneered a cultural revolution of sorts.

She has accolades for days, but the true extent of her reach and mainstream appeal may not have been completely realized until after she tumbled from the pedestal of the unbeaten.

After her reign atop the women’s bantamweight division came crashing down following a head kick from Holm, reactions in the millions flooded social media. Those who posted about Rousey’s loss included a presidential candidate, a boxing legend and a music icon, amongst others.

Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman offered encouragement to the dethroned champ.

2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reveled in Rousey’s loss and characterized her as, ‘not nice.'

Six-time Grammy award winning singer/song writer Lady Gaga took to Instagram with a message that Rousey got what she deserved for being unsportsmanlike.

Potential world leaders, music icons and boxing legends follow whether Rousey wins or loses.

The 28-year-old former champion plans to take an extended break from fighting, but vowed to return. When she does, the world will be paying attention.

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