IN HER OWN WORDS

Ronda Rousey breaks down her victories

Over a year after her stunning knockout defeat to Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey will return to the octagon on Friday to take on UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.

Last year, the then-unbeaten Rousey sat inside the boxing ring of her trainer's Glendale gym to dissect full replays of her previous first-round victories, artfully revealing the activity of a fighter's mind. Rousey unveiled the depth of study she devotes to her opponents, the measure of her dedication to victory and a gift for quick thinking that appeared unrivaled.

Footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass

Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia

"This one, I specifically wanted to knock her out."

A bitter foe in hostile territory didn't matter. Rousey's sharpened stand-up skills decided the bout, silencing the mouthy Brazilian in an arena that holds special meaning for the former Olympic judo fighter.

Rio de Janiero, Brazil | Aug. 1, 2015

Length: 0 minutes, 34 seconds

Winner: Rousey by knockout

Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano

"This armbar I made up on the spot...I don't memorize moves, I just do what makes sense at the time. "

The well-prepared champion can also improvise, as she showed in producing a never-before-done maneuver to force the challenger's tapout.

Los Angeles, CA | Feb. 28, 2015

Length: 0 minutes, 14 seconds

Winner: Rousey by submission via armbar

Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis

"After the first punch, my thumb breaks. And then every single punch after that is on a broken thumb...and my knuckle [was] gone."

Could Rousey punch? Davis pressed the question, and was left unconscious by the answer.

Las Vegas, NV | July 5, 2014

Length: 0 minutes, 16 seconds

Winner: Rousey by knockout

Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann

"Her back has never been to the cage. So I knew that the second she got there, she'd revert to what was most comfortable."

Taking the title fight with a UFC-record-short 56-day break, Rousey broke down film to identify where the wrestler was vulnerable and pulled off a surprise attack to achieve victory.

Las Vegas, NV | Feb. 22, 2014

Length: 1 minute, 6 seconds

Winner: Rousey by knockout

Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche

"I was willing to be a quadriplegic to win that fight...it was that important to me."

Rousey's historic first-ever UFC women's fight at Honda Center still stands as her most difficult fight, a test that strained her, yet couldn't deny her from victory with her signature armbar as the exclamation point.

Anaheim, CA | Feb. 23, 2013

Length: 4 minutes, 49 seconds

Winner: Rousey by submission via armbar

Credits: Video interview by Christina House, production by Eben McCue. Lead photo: Harry How/Getty Images

Sources: Times reporting, UFC Fight Pass.