THE CLINCH REPORT

“People who knew little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little” Jean-Jacques Rousseau

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

The loss was shocking. Holly Holm deserves all the credit for an amazing win. Yet the pundits pontificate. The so called experts feel compelled inevitably to lend their outside and uninformed ideas. Many times, in this case the reasons for the loss are mentioned more than the person who actually won. The truth is much less complicated. Yes Ronda Rousey was an undefeated mixed martial arts champion, and this loss is certainly devastating for her, but to think this is the first time she has lost is just silly.

To get to this point Ronda Rousey had to overcome so much adversity. She came into the world fighting. As an underdog from the start she was born barely breathing. Doctors gave her little chance of survival, yet she came back. The loss of her father at an early age could have dwarfed her spirit, it did not it only motivated her to becoming a judo champion, and an olympic bronze medalist. Later she transitioned to the sport of MMA. Once there she literally smashed through a glass ceiling that had previously viewed woman’s combat sports purely as a sideshow. Rousey not only single handedly created the division in the UFC, she dominated it for 3 years.

The sad part about the criticism is the pure vitriol imbedded in most of the comments. The qualified opinions and caveated explanations of why she lost are obvious attempts to attach parasitically on the back of a fallen champion. The internet is full of ticks that feed off the blood that others spill. The simple truth of the matter is one champion was created (Holly Holm) and one has the unique opportunity to become one again(Ronda Rousey). The belt is only a piece of metal that catches light, the work is what defines a champion. Ronda Rousey is certainly a champion.

Champions rise. In spite of reasoning or objection, despite criticism and doubt a true champion simply exists. They aren’t born that way, although some are born with gifts that make it easier. Everyone has to walk the walk, the gifted and the underdog the like. There is no chair lift to the top of the mountain. Rousey hiked that mountain, after climbing to the peak of many others. Its sad that so many are looking to make a name for themselves by claiming she took a helicopter to the top. For some reason I feel that most of those opinions will come back in with the tide. It is not a question of if Ronda Rousey can comeback, but more of a question of how Ronda Rousey will come back? And when?