“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey Dedicates Her Next Fight to “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

In a new post through her official Instagram account, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey dedicates her next fight to “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who passed away on July 30. As previously reported, the news of Piper’s death hit the Internet on July 31 when TMZ.com reported that he had passed away in his sleep one day prior due to cardiac arrest. He was 61 years old.

The WWE Hall of Famer gave Rousey his “Rowdy” moniker to the UFC Bantamweight Champion after he was asked by Rousey and “Judo” Gene Lebell if she could use it. Piper discussed this in an interview with Fightland.vice.com in 2014, saying,

 “I was trained by, at the time, the toughest man in the world. Not according to him, either. His name is “Judo” Gene Lebell and he trained Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris. He’s the godfather of MMA. He’s about 80 years old. He still has a dojo in Burbank. When I was 17, 18 years old [wrestling] in the Olympic Auditorium, I ran into him. I was getting beat up pretty good and he took me under his wing. 

So then maybe a year ago-ish (my timing’s not great), Ronda and Gene called me. She was so, so excited and so beautiful, saying, “Would you mind? I’ll make you proud and I’m giving it everything you got.” And I said, “You go, gal. You go!”

Somebody asked me, “What would you think if ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey would become the face of the UFC?” I said I think it would be great. I think it would be a really great thing.”

Rousey, who will defend her UFC Bantamweight Championship against Bethe Correia in the main event “UFC 190” on Aug. 1, posted the following message on her Instagram account after receiving the news that Piper had passed away,

 

Thank you for the name…. And so much more…. Will do it justice and do you proud tomorrow…. This one’s for you Roddy….

A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Jul 31, 2015 at 6:07pm PDT

 

Editor’s Note:

I hope Rousey comes out to Piper’s bagpipes theme. How sick would that be? It’s only fitting.