Ahead of her UFC 168 co-main event clash with Miesha Tate, women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was asked by FOX Sports Live host Charissa Thompson why she believed Nick Diaz, her friend and former welterweight contender, had turned down a fight with Carlos Condit. UFC president Dana White told media he had offered Diaz the bout in person at UFC on FOX 9 in Sacramento, but that Diaz wasn’t interested. Diaz previously dropped a controversial decision to Condit at UFC 143 in a bout for the interim welterweight championship.
“Nick’s been fighting for a really really long time,” said Rousey. “I’ve only been fighting for three years, I mean, he’s been fighting I think for over a decade now. This sport puts a lot of miles on you very quickly. If he feels like he needs a rest and to take a break, you can’t fight for anyone other than yourself. You can’t fight sooner than you feel like you should. It really is a life and death situation out there and you have to do it when you feel it’s right.”
Asked directly if she believed Diaz would return to fighting, Rousey’s smirk removed all doubt. “Yea. I think he will.”
The face of women’s MMA, Rousey was also asked her take on the UFC’s incoming strawweight division.
“I love the 115 pound chicks that are coming in,” gushed Rousey. “They’re so talented. They’re so charismatic. They’re so cute. They’re almost adorably trying to kill each other. It’s like cute, yet scary. It just brings so many emotions out of you. I think the fans are really going to embrace it and I can’t wait for there to be another women’s champion. Now it’s really been proven the UFC is moving past that ‘experimental phase’ for the girls. They’re really investing and seeing people love it.”
With the division set to crown its inaugural champ via the Ultimate Fighter tournament due to film in May, Rousey is pulling for Mrs. Pat Barry.
“Who’s the best? I don’t know, but I’m the biggest fan of Rose Namajunas. I love her. Just her personality and the way she fights. I’ll be rooting for her I think to win it.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
UFC Fight Pass. The promotion’s new digital streaming service will reportedly cost you $9.99 per month. Too much? Or just right?
Technique talk. Pedro Sauer Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and renowned MMA trainer Ricky Lundell discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding heel hooks and other leg submissions.
The year of Diaz. With so many UFC stars sidelined with injuries, Chuck Mindenhall explains how Nick Diaz is the one eyed man in 2014’s land of the blind.
Still on the roster. Despite reports, UFC heavyweight Pat Barry and Nam Phan have not been released following losses at UFC Fight Night 33.
Del Rosario autopsy. The Orange County coroner’s report following Shane del Rosario’s death revealed cocaine, THC and opiates in his urine, but that the substances did not contribute to his death.
MEDIA STEW
Free fight: Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman.
GSP’s day off.
Chris Leben’s training vlog.
Invicta FC 7– ALL ANGLES: Felice Herrig vs Tecia Torres.
GLORY 13 Tokyo recap.
Ronda and Miesha, best friends.
Random MMA:
Paul Daley vs. Romario Manoel da Silva at BAMMA 14.
Larissa Pacheco def. Irene Aldana at Jungle Fight 63.
Cage Warriors 61: Review.
Long watches. If you have the time, check these out.
Homeless Fighter (RT Documentary). You might remember Ali Baba from his feature over at Fightland.
TWEETS
We’re close.
Last hard training session of camp! I’m the best fighter I’ve ever been right now. Real excited to… http://t.co/QHgJqL8XBx
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 21, 2013
Only ONE week away!!! #UFC168 pic.twitter.com/n1VjbyHgKz
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) December 22, 2013
Wrapping up camp http://t.co/awQwyhRQ9C
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 23, 2013
Gettin it in on Sunday night http://t.co/nW13nCZXuy
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 23, 2013
Congrats.
UFC DIDN’T CUT ME!!! I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT TYPED “THIS IS BULLSHIT” ARE GOING TO NOW TYPE “THIS IS BULLSHIT” HEARING I’M STILL IN???
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) December 22, 2013
The news is out! I’ve signed with MMA World Series of Fighting! 2014 is going to be a great year! :)… http://t.co/l2l0I5dxRH
— Ashlee Evans-Smith (@AshleeMMA1) December 22, 2013
Yesterday was a great day! I did my MMA debut and I won in 36 sec on the first round! It was a great experience… http://t.co/8A4gwFCLWJ
— Augusto Tanquinho (@tanquinhojj) December 22, 2013
Get well soon
14 weeks post ACL surgery. 2 days after clearance to bounce. THE FASTEST IN THE DIVISION. FOREVER IN SHAPE. http://t.co/UubNTOyCts
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 22, 2013
You think I’m fucking about. That’s 2am work right there post 10 rounds. I refuse to be outworked. You do not outwork me. I expose rookies.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 22, 2013
LET THE HEALING COMMENCE!!!! pic.twitter.com/edwXM0AP2K
— Miriam Nakamoto (@MiriamNakamoto) December 22, 2013
My best friends grandma calling me out after surviving a terrible car accident http://t.co/KFIxfzWvB3
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 22, 2013
Thrilled it’s not a motorcycle.
Grew up in these streets, know what it feels like to be broke! Had to treat myself, hard work pays… http://t.co/bbrkfElTba
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 22, 2013
Props from the champ.
Thanks for the shout out girl! Can’t wait for @ufc 168!!! @RondaRousey
— ThugRose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) December 23, 2013
Worked for Roy Nelson against Struve.
This is priceless. A picture speaks 1000 words! Here’s my next opponent trying to solve a puzzle. @ufc @UFC_UK pic.twitter.com/2Bohcs4sLn
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) December 22, 2013
Ready yourselves, trolls.
168 UFC all you trolls gana bow when I whoop him ima show you how great I am #hallway pic.twitter.com/QhBrClPuXV
— uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) December 23, 2013
Priorities
When it comes down to it, id rather be a world champion, then on a TV show. Personal goals & integrity come first. But id love to coach…
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 23, 2013
That’s plenty.
My personal record. Cant remember what it was… #deadlift #bjj #mma http://t.co/BwYql3qGB9
— ROBERT DRYSDALE (@robertdrysdale) December 22, 2013
Lets see the grade first.
A kid wrote me on FB saying that he’s doing his “Senior Project” on ME! Haha! That’s kinda awesome, huh?
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) December 22, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Dec. 20-22 2013)
Clint Hester vs. Andy Enz at UFC 169
Adlan Amagov out, Jason High vs. Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 35
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via R.G.Allan_III.
The Life and Times of Georges St. Pierre
The recent retirement of the longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has left the MMA world in a state of shock and disbelief. He will go down in history as one of the very best ever to step foot in the cage. As a tribute to his accolades and achievements I offer up a video chronicling the life and times of the one and only GSP. Enjoy !
Check out the rest of the post here.
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