I had hoped we’d be done talking about UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey fighting men, but here we are.
If you’re just joining us, some people, including Joe Rogan and Rousey herself, believe she could stand a decent chance of winning fights against male UFC fighters. Some people, namely UFC flyweight contender Ian McCall, do not.
While making his case against Rousey, McCall mentioned he didn’t believe the Judo Olympian could even throw him. Not even wearing a gi.
Enter UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub.
Schaub, who not so discreetly dated Rousey for a brief period last year, believes McCall ‘might be surprised.’
“If he put on a gi, Ronda would rag-doll him around the gym,” Schaub said on his podcast with FOX Sports. “He would be surprised. I’ve seen her rag-doll bigger, very skilled fighters. MMA, professional fighters. I’ve seen her destroy men. Fighters who were way bigger than [McCall]. She could definitely beat some of the 135ers in the UFC.”
And may that hopefully be the end of it.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
UFC in NYC. UFC president Dana White says the UFC is holding a date for an event at Madison Square Garden in late 2015.
‘I’m the guy who has saved many events.’ UFC middleweight contender Vitor Belfort has no regrets about turning down a bout with Lyoto Machida at UFC 184.
Early win. Saturday’s first Premier Boxing Champions event scored better ratings than most recent UFC events on FOX.
Judo problems. Luke Thomas tries to figure out why the major international Judo federations have it in for MMA.
California Kid. Urijah Faber says former coach Duane Ludwig had ‘something to sell’ at Team Alpha Male.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Countdown: Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael Dos Anjos and Matt Brown vs. Johny Hendricks.
Highlights from RFA 24.
UFC and Bellator vet Ryan Jensen catches thieves stealing his stuff.
Turns out Tyrone Spong is pretty good at normal boxing, too.
Jason Miller got arrested again. (via BE)
Luke Thomas is Pissed: Marshawn Lynch, Kevin Durant, Ronda Rousey, and more.
Long watches.
Matt Mitrione and Sports Science tag-team The Fighter and The Kid
…
Mayhem Miller started a podcast … prior to his arrest.
TWEETS
Housewarming.
Just landed in Albuquerque, good to be home.. Man that felt weird saying.. Going to miss my place in New York
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 8, 2015
“RIGHT or WRONG right or wrong, if you are a friend, I defend to the end Family thanks for all my friends.”
CERTO OU ERRADO Certo ou errado, se for amigo, eu defendo até o fim Família obrigado por tudo meus amigos . pic.twitter.com/xBUF0mNcDg
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) March 8, 2015
You think?
“@ShogunTakeda: @Benaskren would you ever like to compete at Metamoris?” Yes but @MetamorisPro is scared to have me
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 8, 2015
Congrats.
Savannah Swick has arrived! Natalia now has a baby sister and I am gonna be… http://t.co/HIDC9AJo8Q pic.twitter.com/AZ6r0qvOgf
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) March 9, 2015
Beefin’.
“@daza_mcmonagle: @Cowboycerrone how confident are you on beating Khabib Cowboy :D” I’d bet my title shot on it.
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) March 8, 2015
@Cowboycerrone @daza_mcmonagle pic.twitter.com/jDGd913rUB
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 8, 2015
Cool.
This Saturday will be for you pops!! HBD #UFC185 #Milwaukee??Dallas https://t.co/3CdPhoPUpP
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) March 9, 2015
A week from today I will be in #Croatia helping one of my idols prepare for his fight. This life is crazy man. I love it.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) March 8, 2015
Once again on my way to 170 pounds! ! Thanks to @gaudreau_jf JFG fit nutrition for the help #215 —> 170 @ufc #welterweight
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) March 9, 2015
Believe it or not we trained for this situation – I’ll drop the footage later #ufc184 https://t.co/6yfu4zc67d
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 8, 2015
Not a bad night at all. https://t.co/CFGsSDGUOO
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) March 8, 2015
Yikes.
First night in Dallas – Thinking those skinny thoughts with 20 more lbs to go until #UFC185 weigh ins this Friday pic.twitter.com/iiO61qdG3v
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 9, 2015
Damn.
My car got smashed tonight #Thomasracing #diazcar #209 #diaz209 #209 https://t.co/SBGXUceM0w
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) March 8, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (March 6-8 2015)
cancelled Luke Barnatt vs. Clint Hester at UFC Fight Night: Lamas vs. Mendes
Peter Sobotta out, Sergio Moraes vs. Gasan Umalatov
Krzysztof Jotko out, Garreth McLellan vs. Bartosz Fabinski
Ben Saunders out, Josh Koscheck vs. Erick Silva at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare
Thiago Alves vs. Carlos Condit at UFC Fight Night: Goiania
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.