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Ronda Rousey’s Coach (Justin Flores) On Why Her UFC Return is Unlikely

Ronda Rousey’s Coach (Justin Flores) On Why Her UFC Return is Unlikely

Ronda Rousey’s Judo coach, Justin Flores makes his first appearance on Submission Radio to talk about Judo in MMA, how he began training MMA fighters, how he met Ronda and what made their relationship so special, Ronda’s loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, how much the loss to Holly Holm affected Ronda and if she ever truly recovered, Edmond Tarverdyan’s influence and if Ronda would ever train with another striking coach, why Ronda never utilised traditional wrestling takedowns, if Ronda will ever return to the UFC and fight again, and more!

Flores talked about the possibility of her return to MMA:

“Oh man, there are a lot of layers to that,” Flores said. “Personally, from what I … I mean, I would support her, but personally I don’t think it’s in the cards. I don’t think that’s what she wants in this time of her life. I mean, I’m not discounting anything – maybe later. But I just don’t see that being something she wants to jump into and focus full force to be the best. Because if she’s gonna do anything, from what I know about her, she’s gonna do it to be the best. And not that I don’t think that she can be the best. It’s just, I just don’t know if her body and her mind at this stage in her life, if that’s what’s right for her.

She’s competed her whole life. Her whole life has been about being the best, and I just think personally, the best thing is for her to kind of be okay with herself not as a fighter. So I love her to death, dude. I just know the pain she’s gone through physically – doing this forever, multiple surgeries, concussions, broken bones, weight-cutting. All those things add up and take its toll, and it’s accumulative. So being 30 years old now and doing this since you were 8 years old non-stop, I mean, the mileage you’ve put on your body and that she’s put on her body, I just don’t think, if she wants to, you know, live a long, happy life and raise kids with Travis, which I know that’s the future, I just don’t think that’s something I feel like would be in her best interests.”