The UFC will not let a star already under Zuffa contract slip by for someone else to capitalize on. That’s the biggest reason of all that Ronda Rousey will fight inside the eight-sided cage in the near future.
Dana White‘s feelings on women’s MMA has definitely changed over the years, most noticeably since the acquisition of Strikeforce. He has gone from a hard-line stance of saying women would never grace the Octagon to saying, most recently at the UFC on FX post-fight press conference, that one day it could happen.
That is not to suggest the UFC would immediately create a 135-pound division. While the depth of the divisions in women’s MMA are in the early stages of growth, the UFC will not let Rousey’s star burn out while there is ample opportunity to profit from it.
There are still hurdles, most noticeably Sarah Kaufman’s attempt to dethrone the champion. Rousey will need the victory to keep her marketability intact with the unforgiving casual fan. There will be plenty of options for fights to sell the fans if Rousey is able to retain her title.
When Gina Carano was a free agent years ago, Zuffa entertained the idea of putting on Carano vs. Cris Cyborg on a WEC card. The company is not opposed to having singular fights that draw attention to a card.
The fight most are looking at would be a super-fight between the bantamweight champion and featherweight champion Cris Cyborg.
There will still be interest in a Miesha Tate rematch if she can pick up a victory in her next fight. The trash talk between the two was as good as in any other recent fight. Even former Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen called Rousey out after her win in Invicta FC. And let’s not dismiss the long-shot possibility of Gina Carano returning to the cage to fight.
With Invicta FC growing the sport by giving female fighters an organization of their own, the UFC could easily use it to cherry-pick future opponents for Rousey.
Zuffa has already put in an effort to market Rousey on UFC events. That is not by happenstance.
Rousey has been appearing at various big fights for the UFC, including FOX events, and has gone on an extensive media tour—all with minimal mentions or marketing for the Strikeforce brand itself. If Zuffa did not have a plan for Rousey post-Strikeforce, they would not be putting their resources behind her.
They recognize a star when they see one.
Fans and media continually pester the UFC President with questions about if Rousey will fight for him—even suggesting she headlines a future FOX card. Do not be deceived by the arguments of the division being shallow. Rousey will grace the UFC cage as long as she retains a perfect record and her popularity continues to rise with the casual fan.
She is the biggest female star in MMA currently, but more importantly, she is the next big star in all of MMA. The UFC will not let that slip away. Fans will see her talents on their TV screens, as she will don the most famous organizational logo on her fight gloves in the very near future.
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