LAS VEGAS — Ronda Rousey is about to defend her UFC women’s bantamweight title for the second time in eight weeks, then head off to make another movie.
Whether or not she defeats fellow unbeaten Sara McMann on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 170, Rousey will take a well-earned break from the sport after this grueling stretch.
But Rousey’s 2014 in MMA won’t be over by a longshot after this weekend, says UFC president Dana White.
“She’ll fight three times this year,” White said Thursday at Mandalay Bay.
On Thursday, Rousey indicated she hopes to fight again in late summer, which could theoretically put her on track to return again for the UFC’s year-end show and get three fights in.
Rousey’s boss expressed admiration for her ability to mutl-task, as she pivots from fighting to movies and back again. He referenced an MMAFighting.com story from Thursday in which Rousey voiced her concerns over pay-per-view sales for Saturday night’s event.
“I was reading this thing today that said she was nervous about the PPV buys,” White said. “You know? It’s unbelievable. What other fighter gives a shit how many pay-per-view buys they’re going to do on Saturday? … She’s worried about the pay-per-views. Relax. Don’t be worried about the pay-per-view buys.”
White went on to call Rousey the hardest working person he’s encountered in his time as UFC boss.
“I like that about her, but I’m glad she feels she has to worry about the pay-per-view buys,” White said. “That’s one of the many things I love about Ronda Rousey. Ronda is, I’m telling you, the hardest worker I’ve ever seen, especially in this sport. The hardest worker I’ve ever seen, and she does everything the right way, man.”