Ronda Rousey is the biggest name in a sport associated with masculinity and brutality. But before she fights, Rousey embraces her sentimental side.
In an interview on "The Ellen Show" -- which she has described as one of her life's bucket list items -- Rousey made a somewhat surprising admission: Before every UFC fight, she breaks down and cries.
"You're so amped up and it's like every emotion that you could possibly have, it happens during that week,” Rousey said on Monday's show. "It's like the most stress, most anxiety, most pressure possible, and then it's the happiest you could possibly be.
"It's all these things and it's just sometimes you can't hold it in. It's gotta leak out of somewhere, why not your eyes?"
When the fight time comes, though, Rousey turns to stone. After her most recent fight against Bethe Correia, though, Rousey did become emotional for a few moments. She refused to shake the hand of Correia, who had insulted Rousey's family.
Rousey was also grieving the loss of professional wrestling star "Rowdy" Roddy Piper just one day before. Piper had granted Rousey permission to use his "Rowdy" nickname.
Ellen remarked that for all of the pre-fight crying, Rousey manages to look very angry when entering the ring.
"I don't think it's angry, that's just my focused face," Rousey said.
But Ellen disagreed: "It's angry."
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey steals the spotlight when she puts the clamps on Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey connects with fans in Brazil.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey speaks on a sports panel at SXSW in Austin.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Mario Lopez welcomes Rousey to the set of 'Extra' at Universal Studios
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey waves to fans at Univesal CityWalk.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey appears at a promotional event with Reebok and UFC.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Hip hop artist Swizz Beatz poses with Rousey.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey draws a crowd in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends a special screening of "The Expendables 3" in Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger flank Rousey at The Venetian Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
"The Expendables 3" is Rousey's first acting credit.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey shares a laugh with Joe Rogan after weighing in before UFC 175.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey joins the cast of "The Expendables 3" at the Cannes Film Festival.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Cannes premiere of "The Expendables 3" with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey works a scene on location in Beverly Hills with Jerry Ferrara for the "Entoutage" movie.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey takes time to pose with a fan at LAX airport.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey poses during a UFC portrait session in December 2013.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey has an exchange with Jimmy Kimmel.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey is featured in the 2012 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual body issue.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey wins a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo.
