Love & MMArriage: Five of the best and worst MMA romances

By Sean Covington, MMATorch Contributor

@rondarousey, Instagram

Love is in the air (along with record-setting artic wind) and Valentine’s Day is upon us so let’s talk about the top 5 couples in MMA history.

Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne

@rondarousey, Instagram

Though Travis Browne has had a controversial past, he found love again with the Baddest Woman on the Planet, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. Rousey is currently WWE’s Raw Women’s Champion and is eyeing a Wrestlemania main event. Browne has been extremely supportive of Rousey’s new professional wrestling career, being spotted at several live events, even sharing a kiss with his wife occasionally. The crowd does not always respond kindly to Browne.

The couple even plans to start a family this year, it has been reported through various sources that Rousey will be taking some time off from WWE after Wrestlemania.

Amanda Nunes and Nina Ansaroff

December 30, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Amanda Nunes receives a kiss from girlfriend Nina Ansaroff before her match against Ronda Rousey during UFC 207 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nina Ansarnoff is by Amanda Nunes’ side at every fight. A very open lesbian couple that are just two normal people in love and just want to be seen that way; as it should be. It’s great that two people that love each other do t feel any pressure to hide it, especially in such a public forum. Amanda has enjoyed a great deal of success in the UFC and is looking to make a strong case for the greatest of all time, not just in the women’s division. Ansaroff has had a slower start to her career but we can’t all beat two GOAT candidates in dramatic fashion, can we?

Rose Namajunas and Pat Barry

@rosenamajunas, Instagram

This pair isn’t in the spotlight quite like some others on this list but is as close as any couple. Pat Barry has had well-documented issues with addiction, Thug Rose has been there for him as he has been there for her as she battled mental illness. Thug Rose now battles for mental illness awareness.

Mark and Montana De La Rosa

@montana.delarosa, Instagram

Mark is 11-1, with an understandable loss to Tim Elliot, “Bumblebee” is just getting started in at 135lbs. Montana may have had a rocky start but she still has the potential for a bright future.

The first husband and wife duo to be in the UFC and compete are also raising a daughter together. Daughter Zaylyn is following in the family business, becoming a Texas State wrestling champ in both the male and female division at the tender age of 10!

Bright futures run in the family.

Cris Justino and Evangelista Santos

Photo by Esther Lin for Showtime Sports.

These two are no longer married but had some VERY memorable times. Like the time they had a nice photoshoot.

The couple lasted 6 years before officially splitting in 2011; both using the nickname of Cyborg. Justino was recently destroyed by the hands of Amanda Nunes who is also on this list. Santos currently resides inside a Pokeball after literally getting his skull caved in against Michael “Venom” Page.

Honorable mention:

Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway

The most famous couple in all of MMA. Tate is credited with saving her former boyfriend’s mother’s life but Caraway is often credited with holding Tate’s MMA career; being heavily criticized since Tate’s losses to Ronda Rousey.

The couple had a bad break up in 2017 but was a result of a combination of things and not any one person’s fault. Tate is currently in Bellator but in the front office and not in the cage.

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