Watch: Ronda Rousey wins bronze at the Olympics on this day in 2008
On this day in 2008, Ronda Rousey won a bronze medal in judo as she defeated Annett Boehm by yuko at the Summer Games in Beijing.
Rousey suffered her only loss of the Olympics against Edith Bosch of the Netherlands in an overtime quarterfinal. She won the three matches that followed before winning a bronze medal.
At the time, Rousey did not know what would be next in her career. A foray into MMA was still being debated.
“I don't know,” Rousey toldUSA Today in Beijing. “He says, ‘Just come and learn how to punch. Maybe we'll find you a fight later. So I don't know. I might learn how to throw a punch, but I'm not making any promises.’”
Rousey made her Olympic debut in Athens, where she was the youngest judoka at the Games. Just 24 years before, Rousey's mother, AnnMarie De Mars, became the first U.S. woman to win a world judo title.
Watch Rousey's bronze medal-winning fight below:
[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVKYfslwUQU]
• Someone thinks this cat looks like Ronda Rousey
- Christopher Chavez
GALLERY: CLASSIC PHOTOS OF RONDA ROUSEY
Classic Photos of Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016
Here are some candid and not so candid photos of UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, who hosted Saturday Night Live on Jan. 23. In this sketch she appears with Taran Killam as Dan.
Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016
Kenan Thompson and Ronda Rousey during the City Council sketch on the Jan. 23, 2016 episode of Saturday Night Live.
Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016
Ronda Rousey with SNL participants (from left) Jon Rudnitsky, Bobby Moynihan, Selena Gomez, Rousey, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer and Jay Pharoah during the monologue.
Ronda Rousey :: January 2016
Singer Selena Gomez, Ronda Rousey, and Cecily Strong are caught on stage in a practice for the Jan. 23 Saturday Night Live show.
Ronda Rousey :: Nov. 14, 2015
Ronda Rousey is attended to after suffering a second-round knockout at the hands of Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Australia.
Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015
Ronda Rousey responds to questions during media day in Glendale, Calif., ahead of her showdown with Holly Holm.
Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015
Rousey hosts Media Day ahead of her Nov. 14 fight in Australia.
Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015
Ronda Rousey spars with a partner during a media training session.
Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 16, 2015
Rousey poses in front of a mural created in her honor in Venice, Calif.
Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 6, 2015
Ronda Rousey poses for a photo at the London NYC hotel ahead of UFC 193.
Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 17, 2015
Ronda Rousey poses with a fans during a UFC 193 Sydney fan event.
Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015
Ronda Rousey and her November opponent, Holly Holm, take centre stage during a UFC 193 media event.
Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015
Ronda Rousey takes selfies with fans during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015
Ronda Rousey arrives during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium.
Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 4, 2015
Ronda Rousey and her mother, AnnMaria De Mars (3rd from right), present a championship belt to a judo school and social project owned by Olympic bronze medalist Flavio Canto in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 2, 2015
Ronda Rousey after her 34-second victory over Bethe Correia.
Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 1, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia at their weigh in.
Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015
Ronda Rousey accepts the Best Female Athlete award during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015
Former boxer Mike Tyson meets Ronda Rousey during a media training session at the Glendale Fight Club.
Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015
Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015
Ronda Rousey trains during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015
Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: March 23, 2015
Ronda Rousey talks with reporters after meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state leaders urging them to join the 49 other states in legalizing mixed martial arts.
Ronda Rousey :: April 4, 2015
Ronda Rousey attends an NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche.
Ronda Rousey :: April 1, 2015
Rousey arrives at the 'Furious 7' Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey and the Rock :: March 29, 2015
Ronda Rousey and the Rock at WrestleMania 31.
Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara
Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara.
Ronda Rousey :: March 26, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Robin Roberts on the "Good Morning America" set.
Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015
Ronda Rousey during her visit to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015
Ronda Rousey shows Jimmy Fallon what an armbar is during her visit to the "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil face off during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia:: March 20, 2015
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil pose for the media during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015
Ronda Rousey with fans in Brazil during the the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference
Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015
Ronda Rousey poses for the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015
Ronda Rousey looks on during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronda Rousey :: March 14, 2015
Ronda Rousey speaks during a South by Southwest Sports panel at the Austin Convention Center in Texas.
Ronda Rousey :: March 10, 2015
Ronda Rousey is seen with Mario Lopez of Extra at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey speaks to members of the media at the Glendale Fighting Club ahead of her fight against Cat Zingano.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano face off during the UFC 184 Ultimate Media Day in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey warms up in the locker room before her bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey prepares to enter the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey gets ready to fight Cat Zingano at UFC 184.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey enters the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey gets into position to put an armbar on Cat Zingano during UFC 184.
Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey puts the finishing touches on Cat Zingano to remain undefeated.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey celebrates her victory over Cat Zingano.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2015
Ronda Rousey consoles Cat Zingano after their bout.
Ronda Rousey :: December 2014
Ronda Rousey attends Reebok and UFC Long-Term Partnership Announcement at Industria Studios in New York City.
Ronda Rousey :: November 2014
Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: November 2014
Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: November 2014
Ronda Rousey arrives at the UFC Time Is Now press conference in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2014
Ronda Rousey sighting in West Hollywood, Calif.
Ronda Rousey :: September 2014
Ronda Rousey attends FOX Sports 1's "The Ultimate Fighter" Season Premiere Party in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey :: August 2014
Ronda Rousey arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey :: July 2014
Ronda Rousey smiles at a weigh-in for the UFC 175 event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey and Alexis Davis: July 2014
Ronda Rousey faces off with Alexis Davis during the UFC 175 weigh-in inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: July 2014
Ronda Rousey takes down Alexis Davis during their women's mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout at UFC 175 in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: May 2014
Kelsey Grammer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronda Rousey and Sylvester Stallone pose during a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.
Ronda Rousey :: May 2014
Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses Ronda Rousey during a photocall for the film "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
Ronda Rousey :: May 2014
Ronda Rousey attends a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France.
Ronda Rousey and Kellan Lutz :: May 2014
Actor Kellan Lutz and Ronda Rousey arrive for the screening of The Homesman at the 67th international film festival.
Ronda Rousey :: May 2014
Ronda Rousey attends "The Homesman" Premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival inFrance.
Ronda Rousey :: May 2014
Ronda Rousey hosts #TheLinkParty at the IceLink Boutique West Hollywood benefiting The Special Needs Network.
Ronda Rousey :: April 2014
Ronda Rousey is seen filming a scene for the "Entourage" movie in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles
Ronda Rousey :: February 2014
Ronda Rousey knees Sara McMann in their bantamweight championship bout during UFC 170 in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: February 2014
Ronda Rousey at an open training session for fans and media in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey and Jimmy Kimmel:: December 2013
Ronda Rousey made an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in early December 2013.
Ronda Rousey :: December 2013
Ronda Rousey poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: December 2013
Ronda Rousey attempts to submit Miesha Tate in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during UFC 168 in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey and Josh Thomson :: July 2013
Rousey and UFC lightweight Josh Thomson pose for a photo during the UFC Fan Party in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: July 2013
Ronda Rousey signs an autograph during the UFC Fan Expo Las Vegas 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas,.
Ronda Rousey :: March 2013
Ronda Rousey attends the Fox Sports Media Group Upfront after party at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013
Ronda Rousey eventually got Liz Carmouche off her back and improved her record to 7-0 with the victory.
Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013
Ronda Rousey found herself in trouble early against Liz Carmouche, but withstood the challenge to win in the first round.
Ronda Rousey :: December 2012
Ronda Rousey shows off her UFC bantamweight championship belt during a news conference in Seattle, Wash. UFC president Dana White handed out the belt, saying the former Strikeforce title-holder will make her UFC debut on Feb. 23 against Liz Carmouche.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during training session with coach Edmond Tarverdyan at Glendale Fighting Club.
Ronda Rousey and Dana White: September 2012
Rousey poses with Dana White at the Sons of Anarchy season 5 premiere screening in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman :: August 2012
Ronda Rousey secures an arm bar submission against Sarah Kaufman during their Strikeforce bout.
Ronda Rousey :: August 2012
Ronda Rousey reacts after defeating Sarah Kaufman by submission during the Strikeforce event in San Diego on Aug. 18.
Ronda Rousey :: July 2012
Ronda Rousey attends ESPN Magazine's 4th Annual Body Issue celebration at Belasco Theatre on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles.
Ronda Rousey :: March 2012
Ronda Rousey during the weigh-in for her bout against Meisha Tate.
Ronda Rousey :: March 2012
Ronda Rousey walks to the cage before her bantamweight bout against Tate in March. Rousey won via an armbar submission.
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: March 2012
Ronda Rousey reacts after submitting Meisha Tate during their bantamweight bout in Columbus, Ohio.
Ronda Rousey :: March 2012
Rousey takes questions from the media after her victory over Meisha Tate.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey catches her breath after a workout.
Ronda Rousey :: October 2012
Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.
Ronda Rousey :: November 2011
Ronda Rousey attends the UFC On FOX: Live Heavyweight Championship in Anaheim, Calif.
Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011
Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio pose at the weigh-in before their Strikeforce match in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey :: August 2011
Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011
Sarah D'Alelio and Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Rousey would win the bout via tapout in the first round.
Ronda Rousey :: April 2008
Ronda Rousey (far left) in a Summer Olympics preview portrait with Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Marci Van Dusen (freestyle wrestling), and Sarah Hammer (cycling).
Ronda Rousey and Valerie Gotay: April 2008
Ronda Rousey throws Valerie Gotay over her shoulder as she poses for a portrait during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summitt in Chicago.
Ronda Rousey and Annett Boehm: August 2008
Rousey and Germany's Annett Boehm compete in the 70 kg judo bronze-medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rousey would win the match and the bronze.
Ronda Rousey :: August 2008
Rousey stands on the podium after winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics.
Ronda Rousey: 2007
A happy Ronda Rousey after she won the 70Kg Judo final in the 2007 XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronda Rousey :: April 2006
Ronda Rousey with her gold medal at the Fighting Films Birmingham Women's World Cup at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England.
Ronda Rousey :: August 2004
Claudia Heill from Austria fights Ronda Rousey during the Judo half-middle weight (-63kg) event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Ronda Rousey :: June 2004
Ronda Rousey and Anastasia Krivosta compete in their 63 kg. match during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Judo at the San Jose State University Event Center in California. Rousey won the match to move on in the competition.