Strikeforce’s biggest star, Ronda Rousey, retained her title in impressive fashion once again as she took out Sarah Kaufman in just 54 seconds. Rousey did what everyone, including Kaufman, knew she would and executed her game plan to perfection.
The win kept not only Rousey‘s title, but also her perfect record along with another arm to add to her mantle piece. No, Rousey didn’t break it off and beat Kaufman like the champion claimed she would, but the win was perhaps just as impressive.
Rousey is already the biggest star in Strikeforce and has easily become one of the five most popular MMA fighters currently in the game. That list would include guys who’ve worked their entire careers to become one of the sport’s most talked about stars.
Rousey has done it in just six professional fights.
As popular as she is now, Rousey should be a bigger star. Despite being featured nearly every week in some form of media by websites like Bleacher Report, Rousey being in Strikeforce is a financial hindrance.
It’s no secret the UFC is where the big paydays are. Not only could Rousey be making more money and receiving more attention from the media, but she would also have the label “UFC fighter.”
The term is a powerful tool for marketing any fighter to a company or promotion. Even guys who’ve seen their careers sputter since leaving the Octagon can still call themselves “ex-UFC fighters,” and it instantly earns a measure of respect.
You don’t just make it to the big dance by luck. Fighters who’ve graced the Octagon have earned their opportunity along with some measure of respect when talking to potential sponsors, promoters and media members.
Rousey, at this moment, doesn’t have that label. It would certainly help her star power grow if she were under the UFC’s banner instead of Strikeforce, but the former Olympian doesn’t need the UFC’s brand to stay relevant.
The UFC currently doesn’t have a women’s MMA division, and although Dana White is warming up to the sport, it’s still a long ways away from being a reality. If Rousey were someone like Gilbert Melendez or Luke Rockhold, then yes, the argument could be made that she needs the UFC to remain relevant in the grand scheme of MMA.
As of now, Strikeforce is home to the best women fighters on the planet and can offer Rousey the best situation. She will be a huge draw for the promotion despite a list of credible challengers that grows shorter by the day and could become the biggest star outside the UFC.
Of course, if the UFC decides to bring the ladies into the Octagon the question of Rousey needing the UFC will be a valid topic of discussion. But then again, when that happens Rousey will likely be pioneering that division as well.
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