Rousey reacts to new IJF rules
Rousey, who’s grown into one of MMA’s biggest stars, doesn’t agree with the new rule one bit. She posted on Twitter:
Rousey has been outspoken in the past about the politics in Judo and how its governing body does a lousy job of marketing the sport.
She had this to say about the Olympics and USA Judo in an interview with BloodyElbow.com back in February 2012:
Everyone talks about how awesome the Olympics are, but you know what? After the Olympics they give you ten grand a handshake. And you know what, it costs way more than ten grand to get there. The Olympics didn’t give a damn about me after I was done. And I gotta do what I gotta do to make a living. If I gotta pose for some magazines…I’m not gonna show my nipples or asshole or anything like that but if I gotta walk around at the beach in a bikini, why not let someone take a picture of me and put it in a magazine?…All these companies make millions and millions of dollars to put the Olympic rings as like a logo. I walked into 24 hour fitness the other day. They’re a multi-million dollar sponsor of the Olympic games. And they have all these Olympic rings all over the place. They know I’m an Olympic medalist. They know I’m an Olympian. They will not let me in there without paying. I have to pay to go into 24 hour fitness. I have to buy every single Gatorade bottle. That money does not go to the athletes. That money goes into a lot of really corrupt national governing bodies that bounce that money around, they give it to all their friends, and almost none of that money makes it to the athletes. USA Judo is the most corrupt organizations ever, and they hated me because I was not afraid to say it, and they always gave me as little funding as possible.At the 2007 worlds they sent more officials and more people from their organization, and then they made most of the athletes pay for themselves to go. They only sponsorerd three athletes to go, and they sent like eleven different people. And I remember at the Pan Am games, or Pan-Am champsionships in wherever we were at, a bunch of the athletes had to pay for themselves to go and then they flew some PR girl at the last minute. Thousands of dollars just to show up and hang around. And they’re sending all their people first class, and they’re spending all this, you look at their budget and they’re spending thousands of dollars on entertainment for each other. All the people that work for this organization are sitting in these amazing hotels, and the athletes, I’m sitting in a hut. A chalet in the middle of Belgium.All that money and none of it goes to the athletes, and the second that you’re done fighting they just give you a kick in the ass out the door. There’s nothing set in place to help the athletes after they’re done. What are you doing while you’re training your whole life? You’re not getting as much education as you could. You’re not getting as much work experience as you could. And so what happens after the Olympics Is that you have all these athletes that have no work experience, no education, and they have no health. And it’s all bullshit.And that’s why I’m like screw everyone’s idea of ‘oh what sports are supposed to be like’. I did what sports were supposed to be like, and I was living in my car. So you know what, fine. I’m gonna talk a bunch of shit. I’m gonna pose in a couple of pictures. And I’m gonna break a couple of girl’s arms, and I’m not gonna feel the least bit sorry about it because you know what? At least I can feed my dog.
Rousey has used her Judo skills (along with her charisma and looks) to make a name for herself in the realm of MMA. In doing so, she’s also given Judo tons of attention as a legitimate weapon in combat sports. Ironically enough, she was able to do so by crossing over to other combat sports like Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, boxing, and mixed martial arts, which is something that the latest IJF rule is now prohibiting.
Comments
Fred Louis · Owner at Zenbei Martial Arts Academy - Olympic Judo ClubAs a sensei this definitely something to think about in coaching your athletes who are going to be on the international scene in the future. Our athlete should not have to live out of their cars to compete on that level. Judo should be a profitable career for the judo athlete, not for IJF and it's people. The junior world's in Florida attendance was pathetic. Why was it not marketed to the public? IJF IS NOT DOING JUDO JUSTICE. IT IS LOSING THE ADMIRATION OF THOUSANDS OF ATHLETES AND FANS. WE HAVE THE POWERADE TO CHANG THIS GOD THE BETTER.
Moses Collier Jr. · Interim Custodial Manager at Idaho State UniversityI will not pay the IJF a dime for anything. Piece of crap middle man for the OOC. Each year they kill Judo a little more, and now this?! Not cool IJF, not cool. Administration should not be bankrolled, pass the money to the athletes. Without them you have nothing!! No more stupid rules!
Bill Linder · NoneI was a member of the FIRST CAMP AT THE OTC in 1979. Ronda, you are right on! At 65, on disability and in need of "pain management" for the rest of my life, all I can say is "Get it while you can!" When you want a Soldier to watch your back, advise! I'm still fighting as often as my body will allow BUT I am ALWAYS READY to kick some blazer wearing Koochie waza, talking politician in his butt! YOU GO GIRL!!! "
Aaaarrrrrggggg!"