Ronda Rousey News: 'Rowdy' Chooses To Stay With Striking Coach Edmond Tarverdyan Despite Criticism From Own Mother
Former UFC world bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey declared her loyalty to her striking coach Edmond Tarverdyan, despite the flak the latter took after UFC 193.
After Rousey was knocked out by Holm during the second round of their November 15th fight in Melbourne, Australia, fingers were immediately pointed at Tarverdyan and his skills as a mentor to Rousey.
During the episode of his podcast that aired after the fight, UFC analyst Joe Rogan questioned Tarverdyan's corner advice to "Rowdy" during the fight, noting that the fighter "needed technical advice." Rogan said the coach "wasn't honest" to Rousey during the moments she needed it the most.
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In mid-October, Rousey's own mother AnnMaria De Mars gave her outspoken opinion on Tarverdyan. In a video she released, De Mars attacked Tarverdyan's coaching abilities, like many others already have.
"I think Edmond is a terrible coach, and I will say it publicly. I think he's a terrible coach," De Mars said, according to the video. "I think he hit the lottery when Ronda walked in there."
De Mars noted Tarverdyan's hesitance to handle Rousey when she first walked in his gym in the mid-2000s, way before her rise to superstardom as a professional mixed martial artist.
"She was one of the top athletes in the world when she walked in there, and he wouldn't even give her the time of day for months," De Mars adds. "Somebody like that is a terrible coach."
After the fight, some of her fellow fighters offered Rousey to train at their gym. Lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos went on to invite Rousey to train with him at Kings MMA, headed by renowned Chute Boxe Academy trainer Rafael Cordeiro.
As for Rousey, the decision lies with her and not her mother. In her full-length interview with ESPN The Magazine, the 28-year old fighter maintained her loyalty with her long-time coach, despite her mother's previous strong statements.
"Of course I'm staying [with Tarverdyan]. That's my mom's opinion, not mine," Rousey simply said.
