Morning Report: Ronda Rousey extends UFC contract but wishes she could box Laila Ali or a world champion

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won’t ever be fighting former pro boxer Laila Ali, but it doesn’t mean she isn’t interested.

Fortunately for Ali, Rousey says she’s extended her UFC contract ensuring she’ll either being fighting in the Octagon or on screen.

“I’m a UFC fighter,” Rousey said Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take. “I just renegotiated. I have a lot of fights that I have in the UFC before I would be able to go do anything else.”

Rousey didn’t go into specifics about the length of her new deal, but we all know UFC president Dana White’s fondness for locking down his biggest stars, especially ones with boxing dreams.

If not against against Ali, Rousey says she’d still like a chance to box professionally at a high level. ‘Married to the UFC,’ Rousey says she’s ‘come to appreciate’ what a ‘beautiful sport’ boxing is.

“I hope so,” Rousey said of boxing in the future. “I think that would be amazing. I’m not even saying specifically [against Ali]. She’s retired and has kids and has moved on with her life. I would think maybe someone closer to my weight that has a world title belt. I would love to try it, but I have a lot going on. I have fights. I have two movies coming out. I have a book coming out. My schedule is a little full.”

Rousey faces No. 1 contender Bethe Correia Aug. 1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The Sworded Thorax. Chuck Mindenhall says farewell to Brock Lesnar. ‘Did he like to get hit? No. He didn’t. And in a land of thumpers, that’s a red flag.’

Moving up? Conor McGregor says he ‘almost had’ a fight with Diego Sanchez in Mexico and is now targeting UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Brock Lesnar’s MMA legacy, T.J. Dillashaw being injured, Bellator 135 and WSOF 19 in this week’s live chat.

‘Irregularities.’ Nick Diaz has hired a New York law firm to investigate his UFC 183 drug test results.

Dagestani Dynasty. How fighting became the Nurmagomedov family business.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

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UFC 189 world tour embedded episode 4.

Star-divide

Dana’s technique here is flawless.

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Dana White says UFC has spent more money promoting this fight than any other in its history.

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Chael Sonnen roasting Randy Couture, pretty hard. (via r/MMA)

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Lyoto Machida interested in light heavyweight again.

Star-divide

McGregor has no words.

Star-divide

Long watches.

MMA 3 Way: Goodbye to Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey vs. everyone, Conor McGregor talks trash

Tito Ortiz joins The Fighter and The Kid

‘You’re Welcome’ with Chael Sonnen Ep 24 – Luke Barnatt & Clifton Molatore

Gross Point Blank – Johny Hendricks and Joe Warren

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TWEETS

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Trucking on.

Thank u BOSTON!!!! That was awesome!! Now on to NYC! Aldo vs McGregor World Tour #ufc #NYC pic.twitter.com/60zdndyTyl

— Dana White (@danawhite) March 26, 2015

Star-divide

You can run.

As everyone should be aware, my opponent, TJ Dillashaw, got hurt and we will not fight on the 25th is a shame because I was preparing as best we can for this fight. So, I just have one thing to say this time: Dillashaw, u can run but you can not hide. Your time will come and you will do everything q q q is talking will do without escape, or I make u eat his words.

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Light and Heavy.

Стиль боя @officialcainvelasquez для меня номер 1. @officialcainvelasquez Fighting style… https://t.co/wPubDWFqgW pic.twitter.com/9TsWH5nc5v

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 25, 2015

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OK.

Stop trying to get me to trash to talk about my opponent! I am not a hater!!!

Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) March 25, 2015

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Beef.

Even the reporters are protecting @thefrankmir

Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) March 25, 2015

@thefrankmir thank u. But let’s b honest since u can’t wrassle would u like me to start on my back so u can feel like you got a shot.

— Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) March 25, 2015

.@thefrankmir in response to you saying you thought you had Brock next. Why did you offer to fight Nog in Brazil this summer?!…oh oops

— Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) March 26, 2015

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ICYMI.

New #entouragemovie trailer out today!! https://t.co/cJTRUIscKg https://t.co/euR9OpfYpb

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 25, 2015

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Very cool.

@ScottStras: Great to see former #NavyFootball player @BrianStann at practice: pic.twitter.com/dOoefzeTkS” honored

Brian Stann (@BrianStann) March 26, 2015

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This got weird quick.

@feliceherrig when im cutting, its all about the food porn. The fatter the better, its almost sexual. And super masochistic…

Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) March 26, 2015

@feliceherrig oh to bbq pit masters all day. Tell me about that dry rub…. ohhh baste it. Mmm brisket…smokey pink ring…

— Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) March 26, 2015

@feliceherrig the best part, by far is watching the people who are eating it, and when their eyes bulge, I bulge…

— Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) March 26, 2015

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (March 25 2015)

NA

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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.

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey won’t ever be fighting former pro boxer Laila Ali, but it doesn’t mean she isn’t interested.

Fortunately for Ali, Rousey says she’s extended her UFC contract ensuring she’ll either being fighting in the Octagon or on screen.

“I’m a UFC fighter,” Rousey said Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take. “I just renegotiated. I have a lot of fights that I have in the UFC before I would be able to go do anything else.”

Rousey didn’t go into specifics about the length of her new deal, but we all know UFC president Dana White’s fondness for locking down his biggest stars, especially ones with boxing dreams.

If not against against Ali, Rousey says she’d still like a chance to box professionally at a high level. ‘Married to the UFC,’ Rousey says she’s ‘come to appreciate’ what a ‘beautiful sport’ boxing is.

“I hope so,” Rousey said of boxing in the future. “I think that would be amazing. I’m not even saying specifically [against Ali]. She’s retired and has kids and has moved on with her life. I would think maybe someone closer to my weight that has a world title belt. I would love to try it, but I have a lot going on. I have fights. I have two movies coming out. I have a book coming out. My schedule is a little full.”

Rousey faces No. 1 contender Bethe Correia Aug. 1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The Sworded Thorax. Chuck Mindenhall says farewell to Brock Lesnar. ‘Did he like to get hit? No. He didn’t. And in a land of thumpers, that’s a red flag.’

Moving up? Conor McGregor says he ‘almost had’ a fight with Diego Sanchez in Mexico and is now targeting UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Brock Lesnar’s MMA legacy, T.J. Dillashaw being injured, Bellator 135 and WSOF 19 in this week’s live chat.

‘Irregularities.’ Nick Diaz has hired a New York law firm to investigate his UFC 183 drug test results.

Dagestani Dynasty. How fighting became the Nurmagomedov family business.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

UFC 189 world tour embedded episode 4.

Star-divide

Dana’s technique here is flawless.

Star-divide

Dana White says UFC has spent more money promoting this fight than any other in its history.

Star-divide

Chael Sonnen roasting Randy Couture, pretty hard. (via r/MMA)

Star-divide

Lyoto Machida interested in light heavyweight again.

Star-divide

McGregor has no words.

Star-divide

Long watches.

MMA 3 Way: Goodbye to Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey vs. everyone, Conor McGregor talks trash

Tito Ortiz joins The Fighter and The Kid

‘You’re Welcome’ with Chael Sonnen Ep 24 – Luke Barnatt & Clifton Molatore

Gross Point Blank – Johny Hendricks and Joe Warren

Star-divide

TWEETS

Star-divide

Trucking on.

Star-divide

You can run.

As everyone should be aware, my opponent, TJ Dillashaw, got hurt and we will not fight on the 25th is a shame because I was preparing as best we can for this fight. So, I just have one thing to say this time: Dillashaw, u can run but you can not hide. Your time will come and you will do everything q q q is talking will do without escape, or I make u eat his words.

Star-divide

Light and Heavy.

Star-divide

OK.

Star-divide

Beef.

Star-divide

ICYMI.

Star-divide

Very cool.

Star-divide

This got weird quick.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (March 25 2015)

NA

Star-divide

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.