I wonder why Masae Ueno never tried MMA... (Ronda's superior in Judo)

Had a look at Ronda's judo career.

Ronda won one Olympic bronze (2008), and one silver at the Worlds (2007).

In the same time period, a Japanese competitor called Masae Ueno won 2 Olympic golds and 2 golds at the Worlds.

Basically, a clearly superior Judoka to Honda. The Cael Sanderson to Ronda's Daniel Cormier, the Roger Gracie to Ronda's Demian Maia.

She is 36 now. I wonder if she is still involved in combat or has ever been involved in MMA in any way.

Anyone know anything on this?

 

Ah, thanks. Just what I was looking for. Some real in-depth knowledge on Ueno's combat career and current situation there.

 

A lot of judo competitors see MMA as being untrue to martial arts, the deeper purposes of self improvement and reflection. That and the IJF are total dicks when it comes to people competing in MMA because they want to suck as much life/dollars out of judo as they possibly can.

Really though, watch the video of Rousey's loss. It wasn't some kind of amazing blowout where she was easily smashed; the match was extremely close and Ueno eked out a victory. The skill gap isn't miles, it's fractions of a millimeter.

 

Because MMA is a niche sport and nobody outside of USA/BR really follows it

 

He gave you an accurate response. What do you want the reason to be?

 

One big thing to consider is the difference in nationality. Ronda being American was taking part in a sport that really isn't that well known or funded(either publically or privately) in her home nation. Masae Ueno on the other hand being Japanese was taking part in what is a much more popular and well funded sport in her home nation so very likely had a lot more earning potential in Judo.

We did see a few big name Japanese Judoka shift to MMA but only when the sport was highly popular and the money very good, womens MMA might have a long history in Japan but its never been especially big there.

 

Ronda Rousey is probably the best "Newasa" judoka in the world. Newasa means "ground work" or "Grappling". This ends up being very useful in MMA. Other judokas who rely on points and standing positions will not find an advantage in fighting in MMA.
Ground work is very useful in MMA and Ronda is so good at this that even a black belt Olympic judoka has no chance against her:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNTV3nJpy5o

 

You can't read?? I'll say again what I am looking for.

Get it now?

 

Same reason(s) Cael never tried MMA, or why Roger got pretty much obliterated by anyone who he couldn't just clinch and trip. Not everyone is cut out to fight. And just because someone is good at one sport doesn't mean they'll be good in another sport. Ronda is successful in MMA because her style of Judo is well suited to MMA. She was/is a scrambler who goes for broke on throws.

Michael Jordan is one of the best athletes of our generation, and he sucked something fierce at Baseball.

 

:icon_chee

 

Exactly, which is why Ueno is a household name but only basement dwelling MMA forum slobs know about Rousey.

 

I've wondered the same thing. Rousey had no options career wise. It's totally possible her contemporaries got comfy jobs coaching or working for the government. Probably worth it for UFC to offer these women contracts just to see if they could compete.

 

Interesting question, a few good replies already. Does anyone has any example of to Olympic level Judo guys fight each other in MMA, ideally two fighters that also have a decent MMA record.

Does it turn into more of a Judo match, or more of a sloppy stand up fight like Bader vs Davis?

 

Isn't Travis Stevens much better in "newasa"? He is pinning guys in judo and can pull guard and hang with top level MEN in jiu jitsu.

 

Judo is huge in Japan and great Judokas get taken care of afterwards by the society. In the states no one cares.

 

This. I don't know why it is so hard to figure out. Kids do judo...it's a sport in schools here. 5 year olds can do it.

Being locked in a cage and getting elbowed in the face is an entirely different matter; a good deal of the population doesn't want to get elbowed in the face...even for money. I would guess that an even higher percentage of Japanese females (than other demographics) don't want to get elbowed in the face.

And how foolish is it to just assume that this person would be better at MMA than Ronda when she was slightly better than her at judo. Are you assuming that MMA and judo are completely overlapping skill sets? Are you assuming that being good at judo guarantees being good at MMA? A lot of foolish assumptions there.


Jarl

 

McMann vs Rousey was two olympians versus each other.
Hendo vs DC was also another.
Both being recent. Too lazy to go research.

 

Getting punched in the face for a living isn't for everyone.

 

You're a fool if you were really expecting that here.