Performing Toughness and Sexiness: The Paradox of Ronda Rousey

 

Ronda Rousey is the first female fighter to join the Ultimate Fighting Championship and currently is its Bantamweight Champion.  All of her victories have come via armbar submission. Through her aggressive style and toughness, she has dominated her female opponents in the ring. But as a female athlete, she must do more than prove her superiority in the ring. Rousey also has to prove that she is a woman. In this regard, Rousey's body becomes a site of resistance as she demonstrates her strength and ferociousness in the ring and a site of inscription as she proves her heterosexuality and femininity; this is a multifaceted performance required from female athletes because if they behave too much like male athletes then questions swirl about their sexuality. 

In the ring, Rousey is unbelievable. She has an intensity that rivals any male athlete. She will stare down her opponent with arched eyebrows and a focus to win. One look at her body and her sculpted muscles stand out. She uses this strength to overwhelm opponents and gain submission. In this respect, her performances in the ring communicate aggressiveness, dominance, and strength. These performances have historically been restricted to male athletes because a woman is just not supposed to act that way. With each punch, each submission, and each victory, Rousey communicates her competitiveness within a taboo sport for women. The question asked, what woman wants to be fight? Rousey's performances potentially inspire young girls to take to the ring and not be afraid of a punch. Rousey also encourages individuals to cheer for a girl fight (or cat fight) because of its ferocity, not its novelty or sexiness. In the ring, Rousey communicates that women can fight like a man. 

These types of performances by Rousey resist expectations of women being weaker, inferior, and feminine. As Billings, Butterworth, and Tuman note, performances by female athletes which resist cultural expectations have often come at the price of questions regarding whether they are really a woman or heterosexual (p. 148). Rousey reminds individuals of her heterosexuality while also continuing her performance of masculinity. On HBO's Real Sports, Rousey reveals to viewers that she enjoys having sex before a fight because it increases her testosterone. While discussing this choice, she acknowledges her heterosexuality. As many will recognize, this isn't appropriate behavior for a "good woman." She may have these feelings, but she shouldn't express them! In easily discussing this ritual, Rousey seems more like a man than a woman--she is performing the "boys will be boys" attitude yet she is a she. This admission by Rousey further confirms her performance of masculinity.

Such masculine performances by Rousey, though, are tempered by the inscription of femininity upon her body. Make no mistake, Rousey consents to this inscription by posing in provocative ways often associated with models. One look at her Twitter feed and the background image stands out. Sh has wet hair, a pouty look on her face, and an exposed body that reminds a viewer of her sexiness. If you didn't know her profession, you might think she is a model (either for the SI Swimsuit Issue or for other adult materials). Her hoodie is falling of her shoulders, her fists are down, and she is pushing out her chest. She no longer appears or behaves like a fighter. Instead, she transforms into a sexy (and desirable) woman. Rousey also performs femininity out of the ring by wearing her hair down, jewelry, and heels. She smiles and the stare disappears. Her Twitter followers comment on her attractiveness and she snaps pictures like those at the top of this point where she is in provocative clothing, although her sass remains -- just look at the cock of her hip.

The performances of Ronda Rousey reveal a paradox for female athletes. They are expected to hit, kick, train, and win like the guys or face deriding comments about their skill levels, lack of commitment, or carnival appeal. But they are also expected to prove their heterosexuality by acting like a lady. Mixed martial arts fighting seems to be no place for a lady with the grappling, punching, and bloodthirst elements of the sport. Rousey, though, creates a space for female fighters to show that they too can fight and it not be a sex show. Instead, women can execute the same moves as their male counterparts and not leave crying for their mama (except when a submission occurs but they guys do it too). In this way, Rousey's dominance, strength, and skills allow her to challenge expectations and beliefs about female fighters. Her performance does not completely challenge the gender and sexuality aspects of how female athletes are to behave. In showing off her sexiness, she continue discussions of attractiveness and sexuality in relation to female athletes.

While her performances are not completely revolutionary, would you want to step in the ring with her? Based on the reaction of her opponents, it appears that the armbar move hurts so I think I'll pass and I suggest that you do too. Just respect the moves in the octagon!