Why the world is in love with Ronda Rousey.

UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey isn’t just kick-ass because she, well, kicks people’s asses.

If you don’t already know who Ronda Rousey is, you’ve probably been doing an awful lot of awkward nodding and answering questions with questions lately.

“On the cover of Men’s Health, is she?”

“Said she would attend a Marine Corps ball with a U.S. Marine, hey?”

“Shamed for being built like a man, hmmm?”

Look – this is a safe space. It’s okay to admit you haven’t heard of the UFC bantamweight champion, or you’re not sure what all the fuss is about.

But Rousey’s star is on the rise in a big way – and it’s about time you jumped on the bandwagon.

See, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey isn’t just kick-arse because she, well, kicks people’s arses. In fact, that’s sort of the least important part. Sure, she qualified for the Olympics in Judo at seventeen. Sure, she has a 11 – 0 record in UFC. (If you’re not sure what that means, just take it from me – she’s really good at fighting). Sure, she’s the UFC’s highest paid fighter, male or female.

Those achievements are impressive. Incredible, even. Rousey is an exceptionally skilled sportswoman, and she’s transformed that skill into a highly lucrative career.

They’re not the reason people love her, though.

As it happens, it’s her ability to be completely and utterly herself – screw what anyone else thinks – that’s won over UFC fans and the world at large.

When told her body was “too masculine” earlier this year, Rousey hit back at critics in a popular vlog series.

“Listen, just because my body was developed for a purpose other than f**king millionaires doesn’t mean it’s masculine.

“I think it’s femininely badass because there’s not a single muscle on my body that isn’t for a purpose, because I’m not a do-nothing bitch.

“If I can represent that body type of women that isn’t represented so much in media, then I’d be happy to do that.”

Her straight-up responses to criticism of her body have made her an idol for women who feel like they don’t fit the mould. Rousey’s not afraid of what her body looks like – and why should she be, when it’s that same physique that’s won her fame and fortune in her sport?

When asked about how she felt in her own skin in a Reddit Ask Me Anything, Rousey responded: “I feel amazing. I (think) I look amazing. And I just ate some bomb-ass French toast this morning.”

I hear ya, sister.

It’s not just her body that Rousey’s open about. She famously called convicted domestic violence perpetrator Floyd Mayweather out on his history of assault.

In a media landscape too often populated by women who don’t speak their minds, it’s refreshing and inspiring to hear from someone who doesn’t buy into popular culture’s bullshit.

“If anyone calls me fat one more time in my life, I’m going to kill them,” the Rousey told the New York Times recently.

And we believe her.