MMA star Ronda Rousey made good on a commitment to attend the Marine Corps Ball Friday night with the corporal who invited her in a viral video.
In her first public appearance since her stunning defeat in the octagon against Holly Holm, Rousey made the trip from Los Angeles to South Carolina to attend the annual bash with Lance Cpl. Jarrod Haschert.
It’s been a month since the bout, but Rousey admitted she’d probably be on her couch “crying and eating ice cream” had she not already accepted the invitation.
“… To get out of the house is probably a good thing,” Rousey told TMZ outside LAX. “I promised I would go. It’s an honor to be asked.”
The long-distance flirtation began August 22, when Haschert — speaking in full Marine uniform from Camp Lejeune — put up a 34-second video online expressing his admiration for the UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
“I love everything you do, and I think you are a phenomenal person,” he said. “Which is why it would be my honor to take you to the Marine Corps Ball on December 11.
“I hope you take this in consideration because, if you do, you will truly be making my dream come true.”
Initially, it seemed a no-go because the fight against Holm was scheduled for January, which meant she would be training in December.
Then the fight was moved to November, paving way for the date.
Photos taken at the ball show Rousey putting on a brave face for the crowd.
Holm shocked the mixed martial arts world when she dealt Rousey her first career loss by second-round knockout at UFC 193 on Nov. 14, and fans may not have to wait long to see the two duke it out in a rematch. Rousey and Holm have expressed interest in a possible rematch at UFC 200 in 2016.
