Drawing power is a major point of success in today’s combat-sports landscape. The Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao fight proves just how important stars are at this point in time. With that in mind, the Ultimate Fighting Championship continues to work to build their roster big names. Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor are two of the front-runners in that race. However, Rousey should be considered their most important star at this time.
The most important point to recognize is that the UFC needs as many headline-grabbers as possible. The more individuals on their payroll who can capture the attention of both the sports world and mainstream public are worth every penny. In that regard, Rousey is firmly the leader that the UFC needs to continue pushing to the forefront.
Make no mistake about it: Conor McGregor has built himself into a star. The Irish competitor has been the center of much attention as he prepares for his title shot against Jose Aldo at UFC 189. UFC President Dana White believes that McGregor may be the biggest star the sport has seen yet.
“Conor McGregor is the real deal—he is legit,” White said on FOX Sports 1’s post-UFC 178 show (via MMA Junkie). “He is a force that I have never seen ever. Bigger than Brock Lesnar when he was here. Bigger than any of the fighters we’ve ever had. Yes, (he’s bigger than Georges St-Pierre). I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Still, White should pull back on the reins when declaring McGregor the biggest star the organization has in employment. Rousey has crossover appeal that she’s already flexed and can touch places that McGregor will never reach.
First, she has the ability to capture the attention of women throughout the world. Rousey is the first female fighter that the organization has embraced. Whether it is appreciated or not, her gender allows her to reach a fanbase that is beyond the reach of nearly every person on the UFC’s roster. Rousey has already started showing that reach, such as the opportunity she had to speak at the SXSW conference during the “UFC: Women Breaking Ground inside the Octagon” panel.
Second, Rousey is beginning to garner attention in other aspects of the entertainment industry. She had a small role in the major film Furious 7 and also has a role in this summer’s Entourage (via Variety). These two projects, along with others in the future, shows that she is growing beyond a sports icon.
Third, Rousey is already a champion. McGregor has the difficult task of defeating Aldo in Brazil before he can claim the full spotlight of the featherweight division. Rousey has already reached the pinnacle of the sport. With five defenses of the UFC women’s bantamweight title on her resume, she continues to gain fans each time her hand is raised in victory.
The UFC needs to promote all of their fighters in hopes to build the next major stars of mixed martial arts. When history is complete, Conor McGregor may hold a special place on that list. However, Ronda Rousey is clearly the biggest name that the promotion can feature at this point in time.
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