Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey has once again sparked controversy with a bold statement that has sent shockwaves through the wrestling and MMA communities. This time, Rousey targeted rising wrestling star Stephanie Vaquer, claiming that Vaquer would not be able to compete with her in a real MMA fight, while also criticizing the current women’s wrestling roster, labeling it as “weak.”
Ronda Rousey, known for her unapologetic personality and dominant combat sports background, made it clear that she believes there is a massive gap between professional wrestling and legitimate mixed martial arts competition. According to Rousey, while Stephanie Vaquer may be talented inside the wrestling ring, that skill would not translate into a real fight scenario.
Ronda Rousey Questions Wrestling vs MMA Credibility
Rousey’s comments stem from her extensive experience in judo and MMA, where she became one of the most dominant female fighters in UFC history. She emphasized that MMA is unscripted, brutal, and unforgiving, unlike professional wrestling, which is designed for entertainment and storytelling.
“Wrestling is performance-based, MMA is survival-based,” Rousey reportedly implied, suggesting that real combat exposes weaknesses that wrestling cannot prepare someone for. Her remarks were widely interpreted as a direct challenge to Stephanie Vaquer’s perceived toughness outside the ring.
Criticism of the Current Women’s Wrestling Roster
In addition to calling out Vaquer, Ronda Rousey did not hold back when discussing today’s women’s wrestling scene. She claimed that the current women’s roster lacks the intensity, realism, and fighting credibility that earlier generations or MMA crossovers brought to the industry.
According to Rousey, modern women’s wrestling focuses too much on character work, presentation, and entertainment, rather than legitimate combat skills. This statement immediately divided fans, with some agreeing that MMA-trained athletes bring a different level of realism, while others felt Rousey was disrespecting the hard work of today’s performers.
Fans Rally Behind Stephanie Vaquer
Stephanie Vaquer, who has built a strong reputation through international wrestling promotions, is widely praised for her athleticism, charisma, and in-ring psychology. Her supporters argue that comparing MMA to professional wrestling is fundamentally flawed, as both disciplines serve different purposes.
Wrestling fans quickly took to social media, defending Vaquer and the women’s roster, pointing out that professional wrestling is about storytelling, crowd connection, and physical performance, not real-life fighting.
A Debate That Won’t End Anytime Soon
Ronda Rousey’s statement has reignited the long-standing debate between MMA vs professional wrestling, especially within women’s sports. While her combat credentials are undeniable, critics argue that her comments undermine the evolution and progress of women’s wrestling.
Whether one agrees with Rousey or not, her words have once again put women’s wrestling in the spotlight. Stephanie Vaquer may never step into an MMA cage, but her success in wrestling proves that toughness comes in many forms.