A Fake Cop Kidnapped a Little Girl, Not Knowing Ronda Rousey Was Watching

It was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles—sunlight shimmered across rows of parked cars, and the air buzzed with the familiar mix of traffic, conversation, and city life. But what began as a routine day turned into a scene straight out of an action film when a man dressed as a police officer attempted to abduct a child in broad daylight.

What the would-be kidnapper didn’t know—what he couldn’t have known—was that former UFC champion and action film star Ronda Rousey just happened to be there. And she was watching.

The Incident

At approximately 3:45 PM, outside a local bakery on Wilshire Boulevard, witnesses reported a man in a police-style uniform approaching a mother and her seven-year-old daughter. The man was wearing dark sunglasses, a badge clipped to his belt, and what appeared to be a standard-issue utility belt. He exuded an air of authority. Confident. Calm. Official.

According to bystanders, the man told the mother that her daughter matched the description of a child involved in a custody dispute and that he needed to take the girl “downtown for questioning.” Confused and alarmed, the mother demanded identification. The man swiftly flashed what looked like a police badge and tried to pull the girl away.

The mother resisted. The child screamed. Panic began to ripple through the crowd. But just before the situation could spiral completely out of control, a voice cut through the commotion.

“That’s not a cop,” Ronda Rousey reportedly said as she stepped out from the bakery’s side entrance.

Enter Ronda Rousey

Dressed in workout gear, her hair tied back in a simple ponytail, Rousey wasn’t immediately recognizable to everyone present. But her commanding tone—and what followed—left no room for doubt.

According to several eyewitnesses, Rousey sprinted toward the scene with the kind of explosive energy that had once earned her lightning-fast victories in the UFC. The man let go of the girl and turned, shouting something unintelligible. He reached for his belt, perhaps expecting to intimidate. He had no idea what was coming.

In a move that could have been choreographed in Hollywood, Rousey closed the distance, grabbed the man by his wrist, and executed a takedown with surgical precision. The man hit the pavement hard, dazed and pinned.

“She moved like she wasn’t even thinking,” said Jason McNeil, a local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident. “It was like instinct. She just knew what to do, and she didn’t hesitate.”

The man struggled, but Rousey held him down with ease. Within moments, real law enforcement arrived, having been called by the bakery’s manager when the mother first began to scream. Officers quickly took the suspect into custody.

A Closer Look at the Suspect

Authorities later confirmed that the man was not, in fact, a police officer. He was identified as 38-year-old Derrick Malone, a known felon with a history of impersonating law enforcement officers and a disturbing record of attempted abductions. His “badge” was a crude replica purchased online, and his uniform was a patchwork of surplus items designed to mimic official LAPD gear.

According to investigators, Malone had been stalking the area for several days, allegedly targeting mothers with young children in quieter neighborhoods. This time, his plan backfired in the most spectacular way imaginable.

He’s now facing multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping, impersonating a police officer, and resisting arrest. Bail has been denied.

A Hero’s Humility

Later that evening, Rousey posted a brief comment on her social media, downplaying the incident.

“I did what anyone would do,” she wrote. “I saw a child in danger and I reacted. I’m just glad she’s safe.”

But not everyone agrees it was something just “anyone” would do. Many are calling her a hero. The hashtag #RondaRescues began trending within hours. Photos of her standing beside the grateful mother and smiling child—still shaken, but unharmed—circulated widely, prompting an outpouring of praise from fans and officials alike.

LAPD issued a public statement: “We commend Ms. Rousey for her quick thinking and bravery. Her intervention likely prevented a tragic outcome.”

The Bigger Picture

Incidents involving fake law enforcement personnel are on the rise across the country. Authorities warn that impersonators often rely on confusion, fear, and social pressure to execute their crimes. What makes this case stand out isn’t just the high-profile rescue—it’s the reminder that vigilance matters.

Security experts say it’s crucial for civilians to ask for proper identification and to call 911 if something feels off. “A real officer will never prevent you from verifying their credentials,” said a retired police chief familiar with the case. “Trust your instincts.”

Final Moments of a Day That Could Have Ended Very Differently

As for the little girl, she was treated at the scene for minor scratches and shock, then taken home by her mother. Witnesses say Rousey stayed until the family left, ensuring they were okay and offering words of comfort.

The mother, who declined to give her name for privacy reasons, spoke briefly to reporters: “I can’t even imagine what might have happened if she hadn’t been there. Ronda didn’t just stop a kidnapper—she saved my daughter’s life.”

And in a world that often feels uncertain, sometimes it takes one courageous moment, one person standing up at just the right time, to make all the difference.

For Ronda Rousey, it wasn’t a fight in the octagon or a scene in a movie. It was real life—and a little girl will sleep safely tonight because of it.