Ronda Explains What It Feels Like to Tear an Arm Apart

Kel Dansby
Ronda subs Tate
Ronda Rousey armbars Miesha Tate at UFC 186. Photo by the UFC. 

The average person will never know what it is like to sink in a picture-perfect armbar and feel their opponent succumb to the notion that they’ll have to give up or have their arm nearly torn from their body.

Well, that’s why Ronda Rousey isn’t a normal person.

Ronda’s rise through the MMA ranks to UFC champion can largely be attributed to her judo skills (which you can learn here) and her trademark armbar (which she says she’s never perfected). She holds a special place in her heart for what would follow her for her entire MMA career and beyond.

In 2012, before much of her UFC success, “Rowdy” Ronda sat down with MiddleEasy.com and discussed what it feels like to break someone’s arm. Spoiler alert: It’s gross. 

“I don’t think it’s satisfying, it kind of grosses me out. I tell everybody it feels like tearing apart a turkey with a crotch,” she said. “Like when you’re trying to tear a turkey leg off and you feel the cartilage, bones, and tendons coming off when you’re pulling it — it really is that exact feeling. It’s gross.”

During the interview, Ronda also explained how she felt about people’s criticism that she was solely reliant on her armbar and not using other ways to finish opponents.

“If I was knocking everybody out people wouldn’t be like, ‘Oh, she’s a one trick pony. She only does that one thing, she only knocks people out,'” she said. “People don’t realize how complicated all these different armbars are. They are all from a different takedown, different position, and a different scenario. They all seem very different to me.”

Despite the grossness and some of the criticism that came with her armbar affinity, it’s no surprise she still uses the armbar as her finisher in the WWE. 

Wrestlers will probably complain about that too, but most likely the ones who get caught in it. 

Show off your arms with this ‘Signature Series’ shirt.
cartchevron-leftchevron-rightemail-share-iconfacebook-share-icongoogle-share-iconlinkedin-share-iconlocked megaphone play-signshirtstartvtwitter-share-iconunlocked user-signuserCrossed Legs Ronda Rousey Pointing