Unbeaten UFC women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey almost always smiles when a news camera turns her way.
Perhaps Rousey‘s just akin to her occasional training partners, Nick and Nate Diaz, who enjoy voicing their bold opinions equally as much as they revel in demoralizing their opponents. Or maybe Rousey simply possesses a competitive gusto that makes her unique in the realm of women’s mixed martial arts.
Regardless of what sets her apart, Rousey‘s blend of raw talent and undeniable charisma were characteristics that apparently seemed irresistible to UFC president Dana White.
White proved his confidence in the soon-to-be 26-year-old Californian by awarding her a six-fight contract and a championship belt before Rousey ever graced the Octagon.
White’s since defended his decision to create a women’s division based solely on Rousey‘s exploits on numerous occasions. He’s also denied the rumor that a sexual attraction to the former Strikeforce champion spurred the signing.
In an interview with MMA Weekly, White explained his reasoning behind making Rousey the centerpiece of women in the UFC.
I’ve said this a million times and I’ll say it again. Everybody’s thinking it’s because she’s attractive and this and that, (but) that’s all great. When you here the way this girl talks; she is a Diaz brother inside. She’s like, “After I beat her ass, I’d like to take her out surfing, and whatever.” She’s the real deal. She’s a fighter. She likes to finish people.
Besides continuing to evolve in the fight game, Rousey will also dedicate some focus to honing her linguistic skills while simultaneously promoting her first title fight at UFC 157 against Liz Carmouche.
In typical Rousey fashion, she offered some colorful sentiments regarding Carmouche via an interview with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.
She (Miesha Tate) said after the last Strikforce show that she didn’t want it (a fight with Rousey). And then (Sara) McMann said she wants another fight to build herself up first, and then Cyborg said she needs more time for the weight. And Liz was the only one that was like, “Me, I’ll do it. I don’t give a s***. Put me in there.” And I’m like, “You know what, I like you. After I beat your ass, we can be friends.”
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