Ronda Rousey has virtually come out of hiding.
The UFC icon used a J.K. Rowling quote to express her thoughts on Instagram on Monday, opening up for the first time since her UFC 207 loss to Amanda Nunes on Dec. 30 made her the laughingstock of the internet and put her career in doubt. Nunes knocked Rousey out just 48 seconds into their bout, Rousey’s first since her defeat to Holly Holm in November 2015, which came after 12 consecutive victories.
The quote comes from the “Harry Potter” author’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech.
Rousey’s nowhere-to-go-but-up message suggests she’s determined to move on from the Nunes-induced “rock bottom,” whether that means making a UFC comeback — although she cannot technically fight until six weeks after the December fight due to medical suspension — or perhaps delving further into her novel movie career.
Rousey, 29, appeared in four Hollywood movies, including “Entourage,” two parts to the “Fast & Furious” series and “The Expendables 3,” before being cast in her biggest role yet a month before the Nunes fight, a remake of the 1989 film “Road House.”
Rousey’s post comes a week after she released a statement to ESPN, the first time the public heard from her since her disappointing result.
“Returning to not just fighting, but winning, was my entire focus this past year,” the statement read. “However, sometimes — even when you prepare and give everything you have and want something so badly — it doesn’t work how you planned. I take pride in seeing how far the women’s division has come in the UFC and commend all the other women who have been part of making this possible, including Amanda.
“I need to take some time to reflect and think about the future. Thank you for believing in me and understanding.”