How did Ronda Rousey become such a physical specimen?
Spending years on the Olympic circuit, which culminated with a bronze medal in judo, certainly played a part. But then she met master trainer Edmond Tarverdyan, who led the raw but "Rowdy" fighter to a pair of world titles under the Strikeforce and UFC banner.
What's his secret?
Tarverdyan tells PEOPLE about their epic six-hour training sessions, which take place six days a week.
"The key to success is long hours, instead of just coming in the gym and getting a quick workout. It's important to keep that intensity and that consistency,. To be a professional fighter, you want to be able to punch non-stop. When you learn how to throw a punch you're throwing it with your whole body - your hips, your shoulders, your core is tight. You're engaging maximum focus, maximum speed, maximum power. It's not much weight so you're not going to get so muscular, but you're going to get toned. You're conditioning your body. Abs you can do as much as you want. She keeps the intensity very high!"
While it may have sounded like fiction less than a year ago, Rousey (12-1) is currently ranked No. 3 in the same division she once ruled without equal. Expect that standing to change -- for better or for worse -- when "Rowdy" makes her mixed martial arts (MMA) return in 2017.