Former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey Reveals Long-Term Neurological Damage from Career

Ronda Rousey has revealed that she continues to suffer from serious neurological issues stemming from her MMA career, including episodes of vision loss, depth perception problems, and cognitive impairments triggered by head trauma and bright lights. These symptoms, initially thought to be simple concussions, are now believed to be intense migraine episodes linked to a genetic predisposition to epilepsy, creating a feedback loop that worsened with repeated blows to the head. Encouraged by UFC CEO Dana White, Rousey underwent a long-term neurological study that helped diagnose her condition more accurately, providing her with hope and potential treatment strategies. She described how these neurological shutdowns forced her retirement, as even minor hits could cause temporary blindness and impair her ability to fight safely. Despite the lasting effects, Rousey said she has no regrets and is actively working with specialists to manage her health while finding closure after stepping away from the sport. Her openness sheds light on the hidden dangers fighters face and the importance of understanding long-term brain health in combat sports.