UFC President Dana White, who once said women would “never” fight in the UFC, suddenly finds himself caught in a swirl of questions concerning his promotion’s future with the female divisions.
After UFC commentator Joe Rogan teased a “huge” announcement concerning the women’s division in the UFC, fans and critics sounded off with speculation from all corners.
Will bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey fight Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos next?
Perhaps the undefeated former world-champion boxer Holly Holm is up next?
Or maybe, just maybe, the UFC is angling for a big-time matchup between Rousey and the original face of women’s MMA, Gina Carano.
Regarding this last matchup, White had this to say after Friday’s UFC Fight Night 37 weigh-ins (quotes courtesy of MMAjunkie.com):
“If she [Carano] wanted to fight in the UFC, of course. If Gina Carano wanted to fight in the UFC, we would definitely do it.”
While this bodes well for those seeking an eventual matchup between Rousey and Carano, White added that nothing is finalized and that there is no immediate course of action for any side.
“Guys, I have no idea,” White said when he was originally asked about future plans stemming from Rogan’s teaser. “I have literally avoided every conversation about this since Joe Rogan went on the radio show and speculation was Gina Carano…there’s nothing done as far as her [Rousey’s] next opponent.”
While the Carano rumor is juicy and would almost certainly perform well at the box office, it makes little sense for Rousey and the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division as a whole.
Carano went 7-1 in her MMA career, which spanned from 2006 to 2009, but she fought most of her career at 140 pounds, where she repeatedly missed weight.
In her final outing against Cyborg, she fought at featherweight, and, while she made weight, she was promptly demolished in the first round.
Rousey, on the other hand, is comfortable at 135 pounds, and she has fought three times inside the Octagon since her UFC debut in February 2013.
Still, if White’s sentiments are any indication, the UFC is not opposed to bringing Carano on board. They know she sells, and they know people would tune in to watch her fight.
What do you make of White’s statements? Would you want to see Carano face Rousey inside the Octagon? Does she deserve the opportunity?
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