Ronda Rousey's meteoric rise and transcendence beyond mixed martial arts may appear to be a singular achievement accomplished by one unique individual. However, even the UFC women's bantamweight champion will admit that there are several people behind her inevitable success.
Amongst those names is her coach Edmond Tarverdyan of the Glendale Fighting Club. The Armenian coach has been with Rousey from the beginning and has formed a unique relationship with his pupil over the years. He delved into that relationship ahead of Rousey's latest challenger at UFC 193.
"I have no doubt in my mind that we're going to be next to each other and we're going to know each other until the rest of our lives," Edmond told Submission Radio. "Because this is something special that she has done, and I have helped and been next to her, and she's done great for me. And we've done this very pure and honest, and we've worked hard for it. That means we could stay next to each other and pure and honest and anything else in the world, and have a good friendship and always talk about these great moments after she retires."
BloodyElbow.com recently reported that Tarverdyan had filed for bankruptcy claiming no personal income, no stake in Glendale Fighting Club and over $700,000 in debts. To add to Edmond's troubles, Rousey's mother Dr. AnnMaria De Mars referred to him as a "bad person" and a "terrible coach."
When asked about it by the media, Rousey refused to be drawn into media frenzy over the remarks. She offered no hints as to whether she would remain with Tarverdyan or part ways in the near future.
Nonetheless, despite the recent troubles occupying his mind, Tarverdyan will have difficulty moving on to the next phase of his life once Rousey retires from the sport.
"[When] she retires, it's great and I'm really happy with [the fact] that she has her movie career and she can fall in love with being the [best actress] that she is. I think she does really love it, but she'll get more into it when she only does that, and she would want to be the best in the world as an actress.
"But me, after I retire with her, it's going to be difficult. Why? Because at this age young - I'm only 33 - having a champion like her and then finding another girl that could really - or anybody that could fight at that level - it might be a bit different. But I could never compare two fighters together. As long as I'm a trainer and I could bring the best out of the fighter, they're abilities, and as much as they could perform. If they work hard in the gym and they give it their best and they listen and they're great students and they're great human beings, and I work with them and they come to a certain point and they win a world title; I should be happy with that and I should be satisfied.
"But there will never be another Ronda Rousey."
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