Dana White is apparently all in with “The Ronda Rousey Show,” but does he feel the same about the men’s bantamweight and flyweight divisions?
While Rousey is set to make history in the main event of the UFC 157 pay-per-view, interim bantamweight champ Renan Barao is stuck defending his title at UFC on FUEL 7.
The flyweights have yet to even main event a major UFC pay-per-view. Granted, Demetrious Johnson just won the flyweight title in September, but his first title defense against John Dodson will be held at UFC on FOX 6.
There is certainly nothing wrong with competing on a FOX card, which typically brings in more viewers.
Still, most fighters dream about headlining UFC pay-per-views and having billboards with their faces on them plastered all over major cities.
Johnson has been competing in MMA since 2007, and his UFC record stands at 4-1-1. Despite being a UFC champion, he has never headlined a UFC pay-per-view.
Barao has competed since 2005, and he is on a 29-fight win streak. With original champ Dominick Cruz sidelined indefinitely, one would think the UFC would put the spotlight on Barao, but things haven’t been so simple with Rousey in the picture.
The former Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champ has never even competed in the UFC. She has only been fighting professionally for two years. Yet, she somehow leapfrogs Johnson and Barao into the primetime pay-per-view slot against a relatively unknown opponent.
Is White snubbing men’s lighter weight classes in favor of Rousey?
It certainly looks that way.
In 2011, White told TMZ women would never fight in the UFC. He didn’t believe there was enough talent in the weight classes to warrant a women’s division. The quick turnaround of opinion for White is especially interesting considering the women’s bantamweight division is still starving for talent.
White has been honest and upfront about being a fan of Rousey, but has she truly earned the right to headline a UFC pay-per-view? Has she done enough to warrant a higher platform than Barao and Johnson?
Some would argue Rousey as the more marketable fighter. She has the rare ability to play off the media and really hype upcoming fights. Perhaps, the UFC trusts her more in the spotlight. It isn’t like Barao and Johnson are major pay-per-view draws.
With that said, the UFC needs to put forth a stronger effort behind the men’s bantamweight and flyweight divisions. Barao and Johnson are incredibly talented and exciting fighters, but it’s tough for people to see that when they’re constantly being stuck on FUEL and FX shows.
According to BestFightOdds, Rousey has already opened as high as a -1200 favorite over Carmouche.
MMA isn’t just about who has the biggest mouth.
If fans wanted to see world champions fight non-marquee names, they could just go watch boxing.
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