Ronda Rousey's latest birthday marks a year of triumphs, including the fastest submission in UFC history against Cat Zingano last February in only 14 seconds and then a dominating 34-second knockout win over Bethe Correira in August. The mixed-martial artist's reign over the women's bantamweight class in UFC seemed absolute and she was the only champion the division had ever known.
Rousey also transcended her sport, starring in movies and co-writing a best-selling autobiography that came out last year. The fighter, of Venezuelan heritage on her mother's side, used her championship judo background to great effect in many bouts and proved to be the most well-known star in the UFC.
However, in November, her rule of the bantamweight division abruptly ended, courtesy of a Holly Holm headkick in the second round. Movie obligations have prevented an immediate rematch, but Rousey has indicated that she intends to fight for the title again sometime in the next year.
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