Who better to chime in on the state of women’s MMA than Chael Sonnen and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin?
Making an appearance on Austin’s podcast Thursday, Sonnen echoed the same concerns over Ronda Rousey’s division voiced earlier by UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
Rogan was critical of the UFC’s booking of Rousey against former boxing champ Holly Holm, chalking the matchmaking up to “a lack of talent” in the women’s bantamweight division.
Rogan made the case for No. 4 ranked Amanda Nunes getting the next crack at Rousey over the then-ranked No. 9 Holm, but Sonnen seems mostly apathetic to the field in general.
“Miesha Tate is the right contender if you want to follow the rankings but that’s been done twice,” Sonnen told Austin. “The division lacks parity. It’s a tough sell and we’ve already seen it twice and it wasn’t close the first two times. I like that there’s new blood. I like that Holly Holm is in there in terms of Miesha being out, but I get Joe Rogan’s point with Amanda Nunes. You could have gone with her but at this point, what the hell’s the difference? We’re buying it for Ronda and that’s just the truth.”
While Rogan’s critique over the division coincided with lavish praise of Rousey, Sonnen wasn’t as eager to dish out hyperbole for the champ.
“As far as fighting Ronda goes, these girls have one tremendously big obstacle which is that they don’t have the competitive history [of Rousey]. Ronda’s skill set is not unique. Jon Jones‘ skill set is unique. Jon Jones goes out there and does video game moves that the announcers can’t even call because they’ve never seen them before. Ronda’s a very basic and straightforward fighter, however, she’s a masterful competitor.
“She’s been at it her whole life through the Judo circuit, been to two different Olympic games. She’s shaken hands with another girl, competed with the lights on and found a way to get her hand raised.”
Sonnen insists it’s Rousey’s experience and mindset that set her apart from her challengers, not so much being an elite athlete.
“These other girls don’t have that,” Sonnen said of Rousey’s competitive career. “The division is brand new. It’s two, maybe three years old. They don’t have the amateur backgrounds, the professional backgrounds or anything extensive. They’re not great competitors. That’s what separates Ronda. It’s more of an intangible than a physical. She’s a competitor and these other girls aren’t.”
Rousey defends her bantamweight title to Holm Jan. 2 at UFC 195 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The MMA Beat. The panel discusses the UFC’s upcoming huge December, why Holly Holm got the nod to face Ronda Rousey next, what’s next for the likes of Nate Diaz or Max Holloway, Anthony Johnson’s punishment, Melvin Guillard’s Bellator debut and more.
Close. UFC women’s champion Ronda Rousey earned nearly a million PPV buys in her Aug. 1 title defense to Bethe Correia in Brazil.
Angry Mighty Mouse. Demetrious Johnson says he’s done listening to MMA’s “uneducated fools.” “You just don’t understand the positives and the technique that I bring to the table.”
‘They’re going to lose a lot of talent.’ Melvin Guillard says he hears a lot of gripes over the UFC-Reebok deal from his American Top Team teammates.
‘Fight for the forgotten.’ Bellator heavyweight Justin Wren has returned from the Congo, but his fight for the Pygmies has just begun.
MEDIA STEW
Are we excited about these promos?
What to watch at Bellator 141, Guillard vs. Girtz.
Sonnen excited about Donald Trump, the ultimate heel.
We haven’t seen the last of Sinead O’Connor.
Gilbert Burns training for ADCC this weekend.
Uriah Hall still talking about that damn kick.
Long watches.
Bellator MMA LIVE Weigh Ins – Bellator 141
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UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 Media Conference Call
…
Emanuel Newton thinks Linton Vassell or himself deserves to ‘WIN’ the Bellator – DYNAMITE Tournament
TWEETS
Good luck.
Great talking with NBC-NY about how crazy it is that MMA isn’t legalized in New York yet #legalizeMMANY #mma #ufc pic.twitter.com/1G3vAJUifX
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) August 27, 2015
Spiderman.
Tough training in NYC today for @franciscarmont‘s training camp. pic.twitter.com/cFJO6ozQGN
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) August 27, 2015
Please grind carefully.
Man I love my team! We grind @cainmma and @slikbxr. # wegrind #weareaka @ufc 192 I can’t wait ! pic.twitter.com/dzbi1U6jGC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 27, 2015
Sparing day (: pic.twitter.com/y0TPzF8BNO
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 28, 2015
Beef.
Great advice @drannmarie for your daughter @rondarousey http://t.co/rND5qqUtdz
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) August 27, 2015
Too bad, didn’t know Bec was injured since I blocked her right after TUF I really wanted to fight in Australian in front of all my family.
— Randa Markos (@randamma) August 28, 2015
Going to show @BryanCaraway the new era of grappling–#FUNKJITSU! Serra might teach u when I’m done! @UFC @seanshelby pic.twitter.com/0aGmn3aQN0
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) August 28, 2015
@UrijahFaber So I just heard u need a date for December. Caraway is still hidin under Miesha’s tit. These got a mean squeeze! @seanshelby
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) August 28, 2015
Buds.
Lots of fun and laughter with these ladies! @criscyborg @mieshatate so great to get to know them in… https://t.co/DigG8roJHP
— Holly Holm (@_HOLLYHOLM) August 27, 2015
Cool.
The athletic state comission monitors the water in our body. To make sure dehydration is not too extreme. Great! pic.twitter.com/RwwbtTObPT
— MarloesCoenen (@MarloesCoenen) August 28, 2015
Big business.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 28, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
How do I get Tito Ortiz to stop sending me candy crush requests on FB?! I’ve already asked dude once https://t.co/wKmDCdRDPd
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) August 26, 2015
“I don’t wanna be any part of your tweets” — @matthughes9x #GotEeeeeeem pic.twitter.com/9llJIslGsH
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) August 26, 2015
@matthughes9x is not amused pic.twitter.com/CsSYweDDS7
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) August 26, 2015
Fly lands on my crotch, I’m so sore and tired I went to swat it. Smashed my nuts, missed the fly. Fly: 1 Me: -14
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 27, 2015
MMA agents/managers please create or update your fighters bios & wiki pages w/ actual substance. They won’t. Thank you
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) August 23, 2015
Bahahaha… #dead I can’t #FighterGirlProblems smh No, I won’t marry you. No, you can’t suck my… https://t.co/1I3Bz8BenM
— Zoila Frausto (@ZoilaFrausto) August 25, 2015
This is how you win practice pic.twitter.com/43b3py0afo
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) August 26, 2015
You know you’ve been fighting for a long time when someone asks you “What’s your record?” and you have to check Sherdog. @sherdogdotcom LOL
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) August 23, 2015
600+ lbs in a 2 seat Z4. And they said it couldn’t be done… pic.twitter.com/4VWm1TBHQH
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 26, 2015
A 60 year old man just told me I had nice muscles & I’m so handsome I could be a model while I was in BB&B #awkward https://t.co/Cpwv4FnTvH
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) August 26, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 27 2015)
Francis Carmont vs. Philipe Lins at Bellator 142: Dynamite
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