Ronda Rousey has already let fans in on most of her many motivations. She mentioned another one Thursday night.
In an interview on “Conan,” Rousey said she is still affected by the fact that she only won the bronze medal for judo in the 2008 Summer Olympics and not the gold. The UFC women’s bantamweight champion said she uses that going into fights.
“I’m excited like it’s the Olympic games,” Rousey told Conan O’Brien about her UFC bouts. “I’ve been to two Olympics already, so every time I walk out there I feel like it’s another chance at another Olympics. I’m actually really glad that I ended up getting the bronze instead of the gold, because it always feels a little unfulfilled. And every time I’m going out there, it’s another chance to get a gold again. There’s no other feeling like it in the world.”
Rousey (10-0) defends her title against Cat Zingano at UFC 184 on Feb. 28 in her hometown of Los Angeles. She has rounded into one of the most dominant champions in the UFC and is arguably the biggest star in the organization regardless of gender. Not too many other UFC champs get the nighttime talk show treatment before their bouts.
On “Conan,” Rousey also had to address the common mainstream media questions about her love life. O’Brien asked her if men are intimidated by her.
“Maybe,” Rousey said. “But I really wouldn’t want to waste any time on a guy that is easily intimidated by me. There’s more intimidating things in life than me. If that stopped you already, then you’re just saving my time.
“There’s a lot of guys out there that look for a girl that’s less to make him feel like he’s more. And I want to find a guy that wants to be on my level and not someone who wants to make them feel more secure about themself.”
Rousey, 28, also said her worst injuries have been papercuts and she told the story about headbutting Miesha Tate before their title fight in Strikeforce back in 2012 when O’Brien showed a clip of the intense Rousey-Zingano staredown from November.
“Rowdy” said Tate put her forehead on Rousey’s and Rousey pushed back with her own head, leaving a red mark on Tate. Rousey said Tate asked for the athletic commission to issue Rousey a fine, but that didn’t happen.
“Whatever,” Rousey said. “I broke her arm the next day, it’s OK.”