Sheeeeee’s baaaaaaack!
Well, almost.
Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman will not face off for the Strikeforce Women’s 135-pound championship until August 18, but that has not stopped the promotion from getting an early jump on pumping out some pre-fight hype.
MMA is still regarded as a fringe sport, and WMMA is on the fringe of the MMA mainstream. Given that, a lot is riding on the fight between Rousey and Kaufman in terms of bringing both attention and legitimacy to the female side of mixed martial arts.
Back in March, Rousey defeated Miesha Tate via armbar to become the Strikeforce titleholder, as well the face of women’s MMA.
Leading up to the bout against Tate, Rousey enchanted countless fight fans with a quick wit, menacing attitude, sweet smile and general hotness that was only emphasized by a dominant performance over her opponent.
On that same night, Canadian striker Sarah Kaufman won a majority decision over Alexis Davis in a war that was as much a credit to WMMA as Rousey’s own conduct.
It is not Kaufman’s lack of ability that will undoubtedly see her take a backseat to Rousey as fight night draws near, but rather her marketability.
As evidenced in the pre-fight trailer—an eclectic assortment of fight footage, training montage clips and what appears to be a promotion for the Bachelorette—the fight will be promoted around Rousey, with Kaufman filling the role of “opponent.”
What do you think? Does it get the blood pumping?
Are we headed for Round 2 of Ronda-mania?
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