Listen to Tarverdyan cornering: NOOOOOOO!

Ronda Rousey’s former strength and performance coach Leo Frincu offered an explanation for the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion’s baffling decision to box with former world boxing champion Holly Holm. It may explain as well Rousey’s decision to box with the heavy handed Amanda Nunes. It’s armchair psychology, but that’s a central part of what coaches do.

Frincu said that Rousey felt that th bronze medal in Olympic Judo she won did not stand up against her mother’s world championship. So when Rousey developed some fundamental skills in boxing, that became her thing. The other side of the disaster, in this telling, is the overarching incompetence of her coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, who isn’t competence extends to carrying a towel, and little else.

The pair were perhaps the only two individuals in mixed martial arts who thought boxing with Nunes was an intelligent gameplan. And before the fight Nunes said exactly what she was going to do before – punch Rousey first and watch her crumble.

Victor Rodriguez for BE transcribed Tarverdyan’s corner advice on Saturday night.

Tarverdyan: Make her miss, miss, miss!

Tarverdyan: Ronda, make her miss!

The fight begins.

Tarverdyan: Head movement! Head movement! Head movement! Head movement! Head movement! Head movement! Head movement!

Tarverdyan: Yes, move!

Rousey has already discovered that boxing with Nunes was a bad idea. She is being hit, and is not defending herself successfully.

Tarverdyan: Hands up! Hands up! Hands up! Catch her! Clinch!

Already dazed and unable to secure a grip, the intensity of the shots Rousey takes is increasing.

Tarverdyan: Head movement! Good job! Jab!

Rousey is not even shelled up at this point, she simply has her left up protectively and appears dazed.

Tarverdyan: Move, move! Come on, please!

Rousey moves but Nunes does too, and the shots are not abating.

Tarverdyan: Move, move, move! Clinch, clinch, clinch, clinch, clinch, clinch!!

Nunes ends Rousey’s career, and puts her finger to her lips, telling Tarverdyan to shush up. He doesn’t.

Tarverdyan: NO! NOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO!! NOOO!! NOOO!! NO! NO!!

Nunes walks to Tarverdyan and says a few words.

Crickets.

Nunes walks away.

Tarverdyan: Move, (mumble)… move! F***!