The boos were almost deafening as UFC president Dana White wrapped yet another title belt around Ronda Rousey’s waist Saturday night. While it’s impossible to compete with one now infamous fan, I’d like to believe UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste could have been counted among the many letting Rousey hear it. According to Celeste, it doesn’t sound like the UFC’s former leading lady is much of a fan of the new one.
“I don’t really like the way she carries herself,” Celeste told MMA Junkie Radio Friday evening. “I don’t think she’s a good role model for women. I think that women should empower each other and give each other a little pat on the back.”
Rousey, who has famously scoffed at the prospect of posing nude for Playboy Magazine, seems to be lacking in the empowerment department when it comes to the professional endeavors of ring girls. “There’s a reason why the ring girls aren’t asked to star in movies, and it’s because they’re pretty but talentless,” Rousey said in an interview with Sherdog in 2012.
“I’ve personally been talked about by her, and I don’t even know her,” Celeste said. “I’ve met her twice. She said a couple things in her Maxim interview. A lot of people pointed it out to me, but I didn’t really acknowledge it.
“She’s paving the way for women’s MMA, and I’ve made being a UFC Octagon Girl into a career. She should definitely recognize that and be nice,” said Celeste.
As far as passive aggressive feuds with UFC headliners go, this isn’t Celeste’s first rodeo. In 2011 middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen referred to Celeste as the ‘IQ Card girl.’ “One time when there was a title fight, she got all the way up to five and we were very proud of her,” Sonnen quipped during an interview. While Celeste did respond, the fight was over before it started, given Sonnen’s next and final response:
“Seems easy to wear a bikini and seems easy to walk in a circle, but try walking in a circle while wearing a bikini. Talented girl.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Huge. On top of re-signing with the UFC, Gilbert Melendez will coach TUF 20 alongside lightweight champion Anthony Pettis before an eventual title clash.
Aftermath. Dave Doyle recaps all the action from UFC 170.
‘Not even in the conversation.’ Dana White says that despite Nick Diaz‘ claims he’s waiting for a title shot, he’s not about to let him face to winner of Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.
Baby steps. Dana White says Cris Cyborg would need to compete multiple times at 135 pounds and test clean before he’d ever be interested in her.
Spider in 2014? Due to an incredible amount of ‘bone healing,’ Dana White believes Anderson Silva could return to action this year.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 170 presser highlights.
UFC 170 recap.
Highlights from Legacy Fighting Championship 28.
Bjorn Rebney responds to Dana on fighter sponsorships.
TUF 20’s ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas at the range.
Ryan Ford’s brutal KO at WSOF Canada.
Long watches.
UFC 170: Fight Club Q&A with Browne and Rockhold
[scrum] UFC Announces New “Fight Pass” Commentary featuring Dan Hardy!
TWEETS
As always, check out our ‘Pro’s React’ piece for instant reaction from UFC 170.
Victory lap.
🙂 pic.twitter.com/uoI7KRUml4
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 23, 2014
Look who just showed up. @PopeyesChicken nice haha now we have a party. DC pic.twitter.com/X6hIbObUCo
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 23, 2014
Here it is lol glad everything turned out ok in the end pic.twitter.com/kwbsjJyXCH
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 23, 2014
“@chuckstonehouse: @ufc @Mike_Pyle i thought herb was going to make u kill him before he stopped it”talked w TJ right after fight 100% ok
— Mike Pyle (@Mike_Pyle) February 24, 2014
I want to thank all my family, friends, and fans for all your love and support. Your def the reason I do what I do and love you guys!!!!
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 23, 2014
Thank u every1 that was there cheering me up!! Couldn’t have done it without ya@BedardCMP @Freddy_Assuncao @jucao @BrianStann @MadHouse_mma
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) February 23, 2014
“@MattSerraUFC: Congrats to @FunkMasterAljO on his successful UFC debut!!!! pic.twitter.com/a2h56P6X4w” Big thanks to my team! #SerraLongo
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) February 23, 2014
Post fight dinner with family and friends life is good 🙂
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) February 23, 2014
Better luck next time.
Sometime u just gotta suck it up, make improvements and get a rematch!! @danawhite @ufc
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) February 23, 2014
Thanks @dc_mma & @ufc for the opportunity & thanks to all those who believed in me. Things didn’t go my way last night but my time will come
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) February 23, 2014
Thanks to all of you for the support!Congrats to @rory_macdonald for the win,was a very tough fight & I did my best. pic.twitter.com/L2lPAfhxu6
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) February 23, 2014
I don’t like to lose but that sure was a fun fight. Mike is a class act & a good fighter. It was his night but ill be back stronger #ufc170
— TJ Waldburger (@TJWaldburger) February 23, 2014
I can smiling cuz I feel the love &support.My tears will make me strong& my spirit is not broken just a bump. pic.twitter.com/A8QGQLYm5N
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 23, 2014
No excuses. @FunkMasterAljO did a great job 2night. I’ll work like a Renegade to be back better next time. I hate losing.
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) February 23, 2014
Thanks for all your support, yesterday i had a awful performance , i am still looking for answers and thinking… http://t.co/s2SorCFezl
— Rafaello Oliveira (@RafaelloTractor) February 23, 2014
More UFC 170 reactions.
I’m glad @rondarousey won- now I can kick her ass in December – make it happen daddy @danawhite
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) February 23, 2014
Rousey stoppage good http://t.co/Duz3VasS2Y @thedkano @tvmixusa @RondaRousey #ufc170
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) February 23, 2014
Would Dana and Ronda be saying good stoppage if roles were reversed? I highly doubt it.
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 23, 2014
@dc_mma and I celebrating his win http://t.co/A4SaAXUQr5
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) February 23, 2014
Every time woman step into the octagon they throw down. The fight I want to see is @RondaRousey vs @criscyborg #wmma pic.twitter.com/rMqZIkRtIa
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 23, 2014
Once again “Nobody defeats Kakarot while I’m around. Destiny has reserved that right for me!” #UFC170
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) February 23, 2014
Showing she’s always improving. Congratulations @RondaRousey on your victory.
— Holly Holm (@_HOLLYHOLM) February 23, 2014
@RondaRousey congrats on the huge win. @Sara_McMann‘s classiness is inspiring.
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) February 23, 2014
Instant classic. RT @LayzieTheSavage: (post fight elevator shot) @rondarousey @cmpunk @nickdiaz209 (cont) http://t.co/ZGWNiXGoTz
— Rener Gracie (@RenerGracie) February 23, 2014
@TommyToeHold: You can’t train your liver. #UFC170” Of course you can….. With plenty of liquor 😜🍺🍻🍸🍹🍷
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) February 23, 2014
Congrats!
7lbs 15oz, Atlas Parker Dai Veit Fitch pic.twitter.com/TuemerI9Op
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) February 22, 2014
Congrats to my teammate and brother @Showtimepettis gonna be coaching season 20 of tuf! @ufc
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) February 24, 2014
.@danawhite – You have done an amazing job – I am proud to have been there at the very beginning!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2014
Real life to online beefin’.
@MikeMav22 @RockyPMMA A for the record his drunk ass started it I was stayin my lane he thought I didn’t know who he was try to scare me lol
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
@MikeMav22 @RockyPMMA @ufc after my fight on April 26 I challenge Phil Baroni at the catch weight of his choosing please make it happen #war
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
@philbaroni @MikeMav22 @RockyPMMA Wow see it’s stuff like this why I don’t drink if u are so bad lets meet up at a mutual gym and scrap just
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
@philbaroni @MikeMav22 @RockyPMMA I have a 300 pound Samoan I sparr with I was @da_MONSOON main punching bag when he fought at 205 so trust
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
@BobbyKGreen @philbaroni @MikeMav22 @RockyPMMA what happened?
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) February 23, 2014
@philbaroni @willdavies Your a joke bro but it’s whatever I want to see how tuff u are when it ain’t no cameras around sooner or later we
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
@philbaroni Done in this sport besides put a bunch of crazy shit in your body, punch for two mins, and be a punching bag lol #quickpumper
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) February 23, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Feb. 21-23 2014)
Doo Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia at UFC 173
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Darrell Montague at UFC Fight Night 40
Alex Caceres vs. Erik Perez at TUF Nations Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
What We NOW Know About UFC 170 Main Card… And What Should NOW Be Done
No real surprises from this card… and that includes a couple of controversial referee stoppages by normally top of the line ref Herb Dean. If there isn’t a judging controversy, there is bound to be a stoppage controversy. A card without one or the other is an anomaly.
Of course the big news is the fact that Ronda Rousey emphatically defended her bantamweight women’s title with the match barely lasting over one minute. She showcased her improved striking which had been highly hyped (and apparently justifiable) and put Sara McMann down with a well placed knee to the liver. McMann dropped like a sack of potatoes and Rousey followed with relentless punches to the head. Just as McMann made her move to stand back up, Herb Dean jumped in between the fighters to end the match. While it is easy to understand Dean’s caution in moving in to stop the fight as soon as he saw McMann go down, it is hard to justify it with the magnitude of the match. It was a title match for hells sake!
Outside of the main event, Daniel Cormier easily disposed of long shot story Patrick Cummins, Demian Maia and Rory MacDonald went to war for 15 minutes, Mike Pyle beat on TJ Waldburger for longer than necessary (Dean’s other gaff), and Stephen Thompson put on a highly impressive striking display.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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