Ronda Rousey
 

Ronda Rousey has tossed her name into the political ring. Sure, maybe it's only as a celebrity endorser, but it still has clout -- especially where she's chosen to throw her support.

Despite Donald Trump once suggesting that Rousey was a fan of him, the UFC star is hitching her wagon to Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. In an interview with Maxim, Rousey explains her reasoning.

"I'm voting for Bernie Sanders, because he doesn't take any corporate money," Rousey tells Maxim. "I don't think politicians should be allowed to take money for their campaigns from outside interests."

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey steals the spotlight when she puts the clamps on Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey connects with fans in Brazil.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey speaks on a sports panel at SXSW in Austin.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Mario Lopez welcomes Rousey to the set of 'Extra' at Universal Studios

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey waves to fans at Univesal CityWalk.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey appears at a promotional event with Reebok and UFC.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Hip hop artist Swizz Beatz poses with Rousey.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey draws a crowd in Hollywood.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends a special screening of "The Expendables 3" in Macao.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger flank Rousey at The Venetian Macao.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

"The Expendables 3" is Rousey's first acting credit.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey shares a laugh with Joe Rogan after weighing in before UFC 175.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey joins the cast of "The Expendables 3" at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends the Cannes premiere of "The Expendables 3" with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey works a scene on location in Beverly Hills with Jerry Ferrara for the "Entoutage" movie.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey takes time to pose with a fan at LAX airport.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey poses during a UFC portrait session in December 2013.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey has an exchange with Jimmy Kimmel.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey is featured in the 2012 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual body issue.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey wins a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo.

previous next

Perhaps even more surprising is Rousey's second pick for president. Given that Sanders trails Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Part nomination, he's an underdog to actually make the final ballot. But Rousey won't be making any partisan picks.

Citing 2012, when Rousey voted for third-party candidate Roseanne Barr instead of either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, she said she plans to follow a similar path this year.

"If [Bernie] doesn't win against Hillary, then I'll probably vote for a third party again.

"To be honest, in 2012 I was against both candidates, and so I just picked any third party because I thought if more people voted for third parties then they'd have to take third parties seriously."

So consider Rousey a bit disenchanted with the current political system. But she has hope for 2016.

"I'm really pulling for Sanders this time," Rousey says. "I hope it works out."

More: Rousey On First Fight: 'I Was Willing To Die'