While even UFC president Dana White has compared women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey to former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, Joe Rogan is going in a different direction.
Like Tyson, Rousey is finishing fights quickly, but Rogan likens her rule of the roost to another great.
“It’s fun,” Rogan said of Rousey’s dominance. “You know what? [Rousey’s] in this ‘Roy Jones Jr. in his prime’ state. Roy Jones Jr. in his prime was just f***ing everybody up. He was putting his hands behind his back and knocking dudes out.
“That’s where Ronda is, just fucking everybody up.”
Despite saying women’s MMA is 15 years behind the men’s game, Rogan believes even Rousey will fall victim to father time.
“It’s interesting because [Rousey’s] not going to keep going forever,” said Rogan. “Someone’s going to come along like they always come along. If she keeps fighting into her 30’s, for sure. Right now she’s in her prime, but if she keeps fighting … if [Invicta FC featherweight champion] Cris Cyborg can find a way to get down to 135 [pounds] that could be f***ing interesting.”
Rogan theorized that Cyborg’s recent tweet displaying her post-fight weight of 175 pounds was a move to gain sympathy for her campaign to fight Rousey at a 140-pound catchweight, but largely dismissed the idea.
175lbs after my sunday breakfast Diet Coach @Lockloaded do I Really have to go Running monday?!?! pic.twitter.com/tYewn7umKS
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) March 1, 2015
“[Cyborg’s] bad ass, man,” Rogan said. “Say what you will about her prior substance use. That’s the one out there that’s the big money fight.”
“I think the UFC should have a 145 pound women’s division. See, I know about Cyborg and a lot of other people know about Cyborg, but most people have no idea. Like people who are just UFC fans.”
Admitting he’s not 100 percent clear as to the working relationship between the UFC and Invicta FC, Rogan believes the UFC should absorb the smaller promotion a la the World Extreme Cagefighting merger in 2010.
“My thing is, I think they have a 145 [division] in Invicta, which is something that the UFC owns. Maybe [UFC] own it or part of it? I don’t know if the UFC bought it. Somehow or another, they’re working together. I believe the UFC bought it. I don’t pay attention to that s**t. I should, probably. It’s part of my job. That’s neither here nor there.
“What’s important is that [Invicta] have all women fights and they have a lot of fighters. Just bring them over to the UFC. Let’s just bring them over. Bring 145 over. Let [Cyborg] fight in the UFC.”
If that happened, Rogan believes fans would absolutely demand the Rousey-Cyborg fight to be made.
“People will be calling for it,” said Rogan. “Right now, they’re not calling for it because they don’t know. It’s interesting. Do I understand why Ronda wouldn’t want to fight [Cyborg] at 135 [pounds]? Yea, that’s the smart thing to do. You’re going to fight a f***ing wrecking machine.
“[Cyborg’s] big and she knocks b****es out. She knocks chicks out in a way very few fighters knock people out. She puts it on girls. She’s scary. Everyone should be scared of her. They all should be scared. Especially if you’re lighter than her.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
New York. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta promises ‘epic series of major events’ if MMA is legalized in New York. ‘If New York legalizes and properly regulates MMA in 2015, the UFC will hold a minimum of four events per year for the next three years.’
The weed. Bellator CEO Scott Coker responds to former light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton being suspended for marijuana after his title loss.
‘Ignorant.’ TUF winner Julianna Pena says Ronda Rousey crossed the line with her Arianny Celeste criticism. ‘I hope I never come across as unsportsmanlike as she is, because that is not a champion.’
‘It’s time for me to man up.’ Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks explains why he’s no longer working with nutritionist Mike Dolce.
‘I’ve been there, done that.’ Roy Nelson isn’t sold on the UFC’s plans to increase random drug testing. ‘Is it really going to make a difference?’
MEDIA STEW
UFC 185 embedded episode 4.
Thoughts on Jon Jones‘ Reebok commercial?
UFC 185 media day highlights.
Ronda says she’s not a team player.
Roy Nelson is much better at Jenga than Kelvin Gastelum was at Connect 4.
Local news interviews are usually death but Texas has it together.
UFC fighters don’t know what ROMCOMs are. (via r/MMA)
Long watches.
Show Money: Can the UFC implement its drug testing plan?
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5 Rounds Today: UFC 185 Preview, Business in MMA, Coaching, UFC Fight Night Rio
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TWEETS
Cuttin’.
Makes me smile even when I’m cutting weight . #Mediaday #ufc185 https://t.co/zC0TwAala7
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) March 12, 2015
The weight is coming off and I am still feeling strong! @SAN_Nutrition
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) March 12, 2015
Fight ready and feeling good! @UFC #UFC185 @AACenter #besomebody pic.twitter.com/Qtmcm0Gcrz
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 13, 2015
This will be my BIGGEST and EASIEST cut to date. Many thanks to my sponsor & friends @fuelfoods (225lbs > 185lbs) pic.twitter.com/ZsWa46G2DG
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 12, 2015
Beef.
Honda say she ll fight Ali and she is 40lb heawy but won’t fight m with a 5lb difference @rondarousey is AFRAID of me pic.twitter.com/WbpKN3Mngg
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) March 12, 2015
Good morning @ufc fans. Please someone wake up the cowboy. I will have two session before he wake up
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 12, 2015
“@danhardymma: Has anyone listened to Chael Sonnen’s podcast?” It’s another money laundering scheme. This is a DM, right?
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) March 12, 2015
Congrats.
That awkward feeling when u sit down at Cheesecake Factory and realize your on the menu pic.twitter.com/L42cL8U07U
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) March 12, 2015
WAKE UP WITH 117$ TO YOUR NAME ONE DAY. NEXT DAY YOU GET FREE CLOTHES, MEAL PLAN, AND YOUR RENT PAID #GOODLIFE #WSOF pic.twitter.com/Z2WBrtLYbk
— Phoenix Jones (@ThePhoenixJones) March 12, 2015
The tour continues.
I got schooled today at Renzo Gracie Academy LA by my friend Shawn Williams who I like to call “My… https://t.co/6W777vmnFf
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) March 12, 2015
OK.
I’m about to show @RondaRousey how it’s done on the dance floor!! @budlight #UpForWhatever pic.twitter.com/DRqKhncTFa
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) March 12, 2015
#DontMessWithTexas with marinashafir https://t.co/KDkvdReVUx
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 13, 2015
Get well soon.
“@EnjoyKane: @RenzoGracieBJJ when are you coming to the brooklyn academy?!” It will take me a couple weeks… Surgery tomorrow morning 😉
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) March 13, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
Pretty much sums up tax season pic.twitter.com/bE7lcJnjI4
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) March 10, 2015
Middle of the day in Lafayette Indiana and you approach me w hand on gun because of expired plate & didn’t think I had seatbelt on? Really??
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) March 10, 2015
Hill sprints? Sure @Cowboycerrone that should be fun…#wrong #terrible #altitude pic.twitter.com/f7InEJbiP1
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) March 10, 2015
When your parent walks out their room with a robe on, when you have company over pic.twitter.com/hFVlWCX5Q7
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 11, 2015
Now I’m trapped in another service center next to a lady scratching herself & sneezing and Fox News yelling in multiple voices. 2 hour wait.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) March 11, 2015
Have you ever had to inspect human balls for fleas? I have #itswarmingupintheBayArea
— Natasha Wicks (@natashawicks) March 11, 2015
.@troubledwolf correct-Wikipedia is WRONG!
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) March 12, 2015
Tax season for an independent contractor is not fun. Organizing receipts, creating spreadsheets, trying to minimize the damage.
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) March 12, 2015
Whenever I see a wood chipper for sale I wonder if bodies have been put threw it.
— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) March 11, 2015
I was so in love with my nose piercing! Doesn’t help that getting punched in the face every other day is my life #basic
— KailinCurran (@KailinCurran) March 12, 2015
Those days when you wish you lived further from the gym. So I could delay the inevitable :/
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 13, 2015
Random thought! @JohnyHendricks F-650 make my Raptor look like a Fiat! Just saw it on @ufc Embedded http://t.co/TawWSHzkyr
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 13, 2015
So there is 1 thing I’ll never understand about guys. I’m in an establishment to meet people. No pushing me will not get me to fight.
— Shawn Jordan (@savageshawn) March 13, 2015
Either I crapped my drawers Jackson Pollock style… or this Hershey kiss snuck in the dryer. pic.twitter.com/CETe3yq6vW
— Sean Shelby (@seanshelby) March 9, 2015
The face I make when another week goes by with no word on my next fight https://t.co/sOeuLqHA18
— Randa Markos (@randamma) March 9, 2015
Pulled over on side of the road to try to nap. Stopped, car off, laying there. Three knocks on the window. No one there. Not tired anymore.
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) March 9, 2015
You know when you park your car outside the house but can’t bring yourself to walk to the front door? I wish I could pay someone to carry me
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) March 13, 2015
Right, I’ve been very patient, but this is getting silly now. When does the new season of game of thrones start?
— michael (@bisping) March 13, 2015
What I wanna do when someone asks when or who I’m fighting next!! #googlebitch #youmakemybrainmelt pic.twitter.com/6gqvQ6TSdt
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) March 12, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (March 12 2015)
Sam Alvey vs. Daniel Kelly at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Miocic
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via NickRiznerMMA.
Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrzejcyk – Who Wins?
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is the embodiment of mystery and intrigue. Whether it’s the ominous quotes in broken English, or simply the last name that fans find nearly impossible to pronounce, Joanna is a complex web of unanswered questions. This, in large part, is a good thing. When yielded correctly, an air of secrecy can be a very powerful promotional weapon. But when mishandled, it could plunge Joanna into the depths of obscurity.
Either way, this all hinges on one thing. If she doesn’t perform well in the cage, she will be surely forgotten.
Her UFC performances have been clouded in uncertainty, thus far. Her promotional debut came against Juliana Lima, a Brazilian who – like Joanna Jedrzejczyk – has a background in Muay Thai. Where their backgrounds differ, however, is in the area of prestige. Joanna is a far more accomplished Muay Thai fighter than Lima, so the decision victory doesn’t exactly prove her quality as a mixed martial artist.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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.