From the first punch Amanda Nunes threw, the sound in Ronda Rousey’s corner was panic.
The cries of desperation from Rousey’s head coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, cut through the clamor of a local record 18,533 fans Friday night at T-Mobile Arena as the UFC 207 main event began. He implored Rousey to do something, to do anything to defend herself.
“Head movement,” Tarverdyan screeched. “Hands up. Move, move, please!”
Rousey didn’t do any of it, resigning herself to a knockout loss 48 seconds into the women’s bantamweight championship bout. That’s at least partly because she was so conditioned to never have to do any of it.