Somehow, word got back to UFC commentator Joe Rogan that some people don’t agree with his take that Ronda Rousey could compete with men in her weight class.
Rogan contended that the UFC women’s bantamweight champion would not only hang with male bantamweights, but could beat about half of them.
Having called Rousey’s latest title defense against Cat Zingano at UFC 184, Rogan isn’t backtracking a bit.
“People got upset when I said that I think she could beat a lot of men in her weight class,” Rogan said on his podcast. “They don’t know. They’ve never rolled with a girl who is really good.
“Technique is paramount and her technique is so lazer sharp. If she got in there with a guy who doesn’t have that good of technique, just because he’s a man, the physical strength, the benefits of being a male, whatever advantages he may have, aren’t necessarily going to counter the technique that she has when they’re the same weight.”
Rogan admits that, of course, Rousey’s edge would likely vanishe the second she’s paired with someone quite a bit heavier.
“She competes at 135 pounds,” said Rogan. “OK, if you deal with her versus a guy at 170 like [former UFC welterweight champion] Johny Hendricks, Jesus, of course that’s a mismatch. Johny Hendricks is a powerful, big strong man and he’d most likely beat her up.
“But talking about a guy who is her weight and then even if he’s physically stronger than her, maybe he can hit harder, but how much of a technical advantage does she have on the ground? She could easily catch you in something in a scramble. Easily. She’s one, two, three, four steps ahead of you.”
Rogan also told a quick story of how Rousey’s win at UFC 184 won over another notable doubter.
“I was talking to [UFC veteran] Jorge Gurgel about [Rousey] at the last UFC and he’s like, ‘That’s when I bowed down to Ronda.’ That’s how he said it. Jorge is a [Brazilian Jiu Jitsu] black belt, as well. He was like, ‘Yea, she’s got good armbars but sometimes she does things I don’t agree with. Maybe her knees are a little too wide apart. She’s catching these girls. Maybe she’s catching these girls because they’re not too technical.’
“He goes, ‘When she hit that armbar on Zingano 14 seconds in, look, I gotta bow down. That some high level technique.’ Just the ability to adjust. That language that she has in her head. She’s so articulate with the language of submissions, in her case, armbars.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Banged up. UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is out three months with a partially torn MCL and busted nose while Anthony Pettis is out six weeks with a fractured orbital bone.
Buying time. Both Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz have asked the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) for continuances in their drug cases.
Chat wrap. Luke Thomas recaps UFC 185, previews UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare, talks Donald Cerrone vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov and more in this week’s live chat.
Now everybody understands who is who. Now that he’s been smashed, Khabib Nurmagomedov says Anthony Pettis can ‘go to the prelims.’
‘He kind of made the blueprint.’ CM Punk says he’s leaning on advice from WWE’s Brock Lesnar before his UFC debut.
MEDIA STEW
Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
Some Ronda Rousey fight scene footage, if you’re into that.
The Night of 1000 Jedrzejczyks.
Quick vlog from Andrei Arlovski, including some pickup hockey.
Mom talk.
Those poor teeth.
Long watches.
Mike Tyson – Pick My Best Knockouts for Jamie Foxx
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5 Rounds Today: UFC 185, Happy Birthday Shawn Tompkins and UFC Fight Night Rio
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Heavy Hands 43: Breaking down Dos Anjos and Joanna Champion
TWEETS
Party.
It was amazing night Thank u all for the welcome in my city!!! #ufc #belt #title #cha… http://t.co/V8Wx7uqzFf pic.twitter.com/4IAIJqSSKW
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) March 18, 2015
Gettin’ that Vanzant treatment.
Night even cooler than my cake is my name stitched into my pillow case!! https://t.co/KEPvj3GIvE
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) March 19, 2015
Possibly one of the cutest things ever! Thanks @ufc 😉 #Mexico #teamtiny https://t.co/LaaUGciSsx
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) March 19, 2015
I just had this cake delivered to my room by the hotel. Very nice (& delicious) touch! pic.twitter.com/oRvKqnm60W
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) March 18, 2015
Let him know.
Now @SBNLukeThomas understand who is who. Just listened to interview. I have bad new for everybody. I faster and stronger then before. @ufc
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 18, 2015
Good to see.
Back to work. https://t.co/a8xW4vFQAL
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) March 18, 2015
OK.
Phoenix Jones message to Emmanuel Walo #wsof #wsof20 #provetotheworldyourafighter http://t.co/ilci4DvETG
— Phoenix Jones (@ThePhoenixJones) March 19, 2015
Big man, small car.
I don’t always buy myself birthday gifts, but when I do it’s my dream car since I was 6yrs old. pic.twitter.com/6FqGgXLSZu
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) March 19, 2015
Pretty cool.
Today I had the great pleasure to learn from one of the remaining greats of Brazilian #CatchWrestling… https://t.co/HO9ghp8kEL
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) March 18, 2015
Thank you for the training and taking care of me and @colleenfights today Pedro! This is man who… https://t.co/9EVNHW3J4k
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) March 18, 2015
Needs more beard.
Animation by ufctoons Love it! Went Ape on Big Rig!!! #Thuglife @arielhelwani @ufc #ufc @danawhite… https://t.co/zIg0Urijub
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 19, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (March 18 2015)
Anthony Birchak vs. Joe Soto at UFC Fight Night: Cormier vs. Bader
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Michael Shulski.
Poll: Should Hormone Replacement Therapy be Reconsidered?
The mma community breathed a collective sigh of relief when Testosterone Replacement Therapy was banned. Everyone and their brother was on the stuff. The most conflicting issue was that many fighters likely had low testosterone levels because of steroid abuse. This wasn’t always the case. Dan Henderson never used steroids, and there was a team of doctors and scientists in place to justify his Therapeutic Use Exemption. In contrast, Vitor Belfort popped hot for roids and seemed to be a monster on the TRT.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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