Morning Report: Ronda Rousey working to become ‘the female Rock’

Prior to her blistering 16-second TKO win over Alexis Davis at UFC 175, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to lay out her plan on becoming a true female action star.

“I never thought that being an action movie star was in the cards for me,” said Rousey. “My agent, [WME’s] Brad Slater, kept telling me, “You’re going to be the female Rock.” Then I started to believe it could be a reality. I don’t half-ass anything. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it to be the best in the world at it. A lot of actresses appear in action movies, but there aren’t any female action stars. I love Angelina Jolie, but … it’s about believability for me. Milla Jovovich is one of my favorite actresses — The Fifth Element really opened my eyes, and the Resident Evil franchise was amazing. So definitely a mix of Milla Jovovich and The Rock is what I’m going for. People love chick fights. They love tough, empowered women. And there is a demand. People just don’t know it.”

With roles in Expendables 3, Fast & Furious 7 and Entourage, Rousey could be on a collision course with another fighter turned actress. UFC president Dana White has made it clear he intends on bringing former star Gina Carano back into the fight game to book the biggest women’s MMA bout in history against Rousey.

Rousey underwent a knee scope Tuesday, but also suffered a broken a thumb in her bout on Jul. 5 against Davis. According to Rousey, neither injury would hinder a year-end bout with Carano if the fight could be booked.

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5 MUST-READ STORIES

2 for 1. Donald Cerrone scores a pair of knockouts against Jim Miller Wednesday night.

Better hurry. Conor McGregor predicts he’ll be the UFC featherweight champion by the end of 2014.

Big deal. Ronda Rousey wins the ESPY award for the year’s Best Female Athlete.

Sorry. John Lineker’s win won’t sneak him into a UFC flyweight title bout with Demetrious Johnson.

P4P. Dana White says if Ronda Rousey were male the media would rank her No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world.

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MEDIA STEW

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Highlights from Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller.

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Fight Night Dublin: Media Day Press Conference Highlights. Audio is garbage so plug in headphones. (full presser here)

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Ronda takes the ESPY.

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Heated Dublin stare downs.

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McGregor’s open workout.

Star-divide

TTTHS.

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Long watches.

UFC Fight Night 45 post-fight press conference video

Press Row with Jordan Breen and Deadspin contributor Josh Tucker.

Star-divide

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller.

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Book it.

Lets go, I’m ready, @Cowboycerrone @danawhite @ufc @lorenzofertitta @arielhelwani @dc_mma pic.twitter.com/QlF7JvshXx

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 17, 2014

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ESPY’s.

I think @RondaRousey winning best female athlete isn’t even arguable #WMMA #ESPYS2014

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 17, 2014

Good times at the espys. Didn’t end up winning but thanks to everyone who did vote for me! Maybe I’ll… http://t.co/kOKyhKb5Xw

Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 17, 2014

Congratulations on another #Espey @FloydMayweather outside of your hard work and dedication UR truly blessed

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 17, 2014

We have Best Female Athlete and Best Fighter nominee @RondaRousey chatting right now! https://t.co/vf5nTQHizH pic.twitter.com/w68gE3S4X0

— ESPYS 2014 (@ESPYS) July 14, 2014

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Back in camp.

Grateful to be back in camp, I missed Albuquerque. Let the games begin

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 16, 2014

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Get well soon.

Prefight interview I said @hellahighhd had a brick head & could take a lot of punishment. Karma…. http://t.co/x1y03WPJdN

Jessamyn Duke (@jessamynduke) July 17, 2014

@LeslieSmith_GF No, thank YOU Leslie. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t give you more tonight, but grateful for the experience nonetheless.

— Jessamyn Duke (@jessamynduke) July 17, 2014

For everyone asking, @jessamynduke broke her hand. Didnt know what to do once leslie turned it on when she couldnt grab & circle off

Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) July 17, 2014

@dannygreid if telling exactly what happened in a fight is an excuse then i guess youre right Excuse this, fuckface. pic.twitter.com/wQTSIJwN9I

— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) July 17, 2014

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Who was asking for it?

All this talk of fightin @_HOLLYHOLM needs 2b put on pause, Already have a fight slated against 16-0 Rin Nakai Sept 20th, Holm in due time

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) July 17, 2014

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25?

Me and my 25 pounds back!! Thanks for all the messages. Eu e meus 10 quilinhos de volta!!… http://t.co/PMts2XxnN5

Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) July 16, 2014

Não sei se mereço, só sei que o gosto é bem melhor assim depois de 3 meses de dieta!! #pqp I dont… http://t.co/9yHyiLSIal

— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) July 17, 2014

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Eh?

@NateDiaz209 still looking for a money fight? Fight me in mexico at welterweight this wont effect rank, a true fight for the fans #uscared

Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) July 15, 2014

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War.

I’m proud to announce that we’ve sold out of fanny packs at http://t.co/10vyxEPS7Z More are coming. We’re bringing it back, bitches.

Joe Rogan (@joerogan) July 16, 2014

“Cause every girls crazy bout a sharp dressed man..” #ESPYS2014 #LA #NoFannyPacks pic.twitter.com/QGd3j0aj55

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) July 17, 2014

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Mild interest.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Jul. 16 2014)

Geje Eustaquio vs. Adriano Moraes at ONE FC 20

Cheick Kongo vs. Lavar Johnson at Bellator 123

Tom DeBlass vs. Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 123

Josh Burns vs. Bobby Lashley at Bellator 123

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Davis8185.

Are the Diaz Brothers cries falling on deaf ears?

One of the biggest issues in MMA is fighter pay. We will hear fighters here and there complain about their pay. Two of the main catalysts that keeps talking about this issue are the Diaz Brothers Nick and Nate. Both Diaz brothers are not on some crusade trying to fix fighter pay for everyone else, they are only trying to fix fighter pay when it comes to themselves.

The Diaz brothers are objecting their dislike of their current salary by doing the only thing they can do, which is go on strike and stop fighting. Nate Diaz hasn’t fought since November 30, 2013 when he knocked out Gray Maynard. Nick Diaz hasn’t fought since March 16, 2013 when he lost a decision to GSP. Nick has been rumored to be the opponent for Anderson Silva when he returns but as of right now, there is nothing concrete.

Check out the rest of the post here.

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.

Prior to her blistering 16-second TKO win over Alexis Davis at UFC 175, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to lay out her plan on becoming a true female action star.

“I never thought that being an action movie star was in the cards for me,” said Rousey. “My agent, [WME’s] Brad Slater, kept telling me, “You’re going to be the female Rock.” Then I started to believe it could be a reality. I don’t half-ass anything. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it to be the best in the world at it. A lot of actresses appear in action movies, but there aren’t any female action stars. I love Angelina Jolie, but … it’s about believability for me. Milla Jovovich is one of my favorite actresses — The Fifth Element really opened my eyes, and the Resident Evil franchise was amazing. So definitely a mix of Milla Jovovich and The Rock is what I’m going for. People love chick fights. They love tough, empowered women. And there is a demand. People just don’t know it.”

With roles in Expendables 3, Fast & Furious 7 and Entourage, Rousey could be on a collision course with another fighter turned actress. UFC president Dana White has made it clear he intends on bringing former star Gina Carano back into the fight game to book the biggest women’s MMA bout in history against Rousey.

Rousey underwent a knee scope Tuesday, but also suffered a broken a thumb in her bout on Jul. 5 against Davis. According to Rousey, neither injury would hinder a year-end bout with Carano if the fight could be booked.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

2 for 1. Donald Cerrone scores a pair of knockouts against Jim Miller Wednesday night.

Better hurry. Conor McGregor predicts he’ll be the UFC featherweight champion by the end of 2014.

Big deal. Ronda Rousey wins the ESPY award for the year’s Best Female Athlete.

Sorry. John Lineker’s win won’t sneak him into a UFC flyweight title bout with Demetrious Johnson.

P4P. Dana White says if Ronda Rousey were male the media would rank her No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

Highlights from Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller.

Star-divide

Fight Night Dublin: Media Day Press Conference Highlights. Audio is garbage so plug in headphones. (full presser here)

Star-divide

Ronda takes the ESPY.

Star-divide

Heated Dublin stare downs.

Star-divide

McGregor’s open workout.

Star-divide

TTTHS.

Star-divide

Long watches.

UFC Fight Night 45 post-fight press conference video

Press Row with Jordan Breen and Deadspin contributor Josh Tucker.

Star-divide

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller.

Star-divide

Book it.

Star-divide

ESPY’s.

Star-divide

Back in camp.

Star-divide

Get well soon.

Star-divide

Who was asking for it?

Star-divide

25?

Star-divide

Eh?

Star-divide

War.

Star-divide

Mild interest.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Jul. 16 2014)

Geje Eustaquio vs. Adriano Moraes at ONE FC 20

Cheick Kongo vs. Lavar Johnson at Bellator 123

Tom DeBlass vs. Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 123

Josh Burns vs. Bobby Lashley at Bellator 123

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Davis8185.

Are the Diaz Brothers cries falling on deaf ears?

One of the biggest issues in MMA is fighter pay. We will hear fighters here and there complain about their pay. Two of the main catalysts that keeps talking about this issue are the Diaz Brothers Nick and Nate. Both Diaz brothers are not on some crusade trying to fix fighter pay for everyone else, they are only trying to fix fighter pay when it comes to themselves.

The Diaz brothers are objecting their dislike of their current salary by doing the only thing they can do, which is go on strike and stop fighting. Nate Diaz hasn’t fought since November 30, 2013 when he knocked out Gray Maynard. Nick Diaz hasn’t fought since March 16, 2013 when he lost a decision to GSP. Nick has been rumored to be the opponent for Anderson Silva when he returns but as of right now, there is nothing concrete.

Check out the rest of the post here.

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.