Ronda Rousey feels she “owes a lot” to Conor McGregor

Last week, Ronda Rousey partook in a frenzied string of interviews to promote her upcoming match at WrestleMania 34. These interviews produced some pretty tense moments, particularly when she was asked about her former career as a mixed martial artist. That said, Rousey had no problem heaping praise on a fellow MMA superstar in Conor McGregor.

Speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Rousey happily praised McGregor, and said that she feels him a lot for taking some of the pressure off her.

“I love Conor, he’s awesome,” she said (h/t MMAMania). “He’s always been great to me. He has my utmost respect as an athlete and as a man. I just appreciate him always being so respectful back to me. I just wish nothing but the best things for him.”

“He took so much weight off of my shoulders, as well. I owe a lot to Conor.”

Ronda Rousey has not fought since December of 2016, when she was knocked out by reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. In her next most recent fight, which occurred in November of 2015, she was knocked out by Holly Holm in one of the sport’s biggest upsets.

Prior to these losses Rousey was a flawless 12-0 as a professional. Highlights of this undefeated run include dominant defeats of Miesha Tate, Liz Carmouche, Cat Zingano, Sara McMann, Alexis Davis, Sarah Kaufman, Julia Budd and Bethe Correia.

Will you be watching Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/2/2018.