Ronda Rousey Is Great For UFC, What Would Make It Better?
Ronda Rousey has officially picked up the UFC, put the company on her shoulders, and carried them to heights they have never seen before. As an entity, the UFC was doing great before her rise to stardom. Now with her at the top of the mountain, along with a handful of other fighters, the UFC has taken over as the pugilistic sport of choice. What will it take for the UFC’s recent dominance to continue?
Ronda Rousey laid to waste Bethe Correia in 34 seconds during last night’s UFC 190 pay-per-view. In her victory over another quality opponent, Rousey improved her record to 12-0. She beat Correia at her own game: striking.
Rousey took a couple of good punches from her at-the-time undefeated foe, but then she unleashed a firestorm of strikes with a few knees to the gut for good measure. It took a one-two combination to drop Correia for good. Now, Ronda Rousey gets to rest before she most likely will face No. 1 contender Miesha Tate for a third time. According to Bleacher Report, the bout may take place on December 5 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.
Touching speech by the champ following another AMAZING performance!#UFC190 @RondaRousey http://t.co/90dp79lU7S
— UFC (@ufc) August 2, 2015
Miesha Tate is considered as Ronda Rousey’s chief rival. The Rousey/Tate rivalry is a one-sided one this far.
Miesha Tate is the only woman to make it out of the first round against Ronda Rousey. She was dominated in two of the three rounds they fought.
The UFC would benefit greatly with a more close rivalry. The Rousey and Tate rivalry is close when you consider the barbs they have traded over the years. Inside the octagon, it is a different story. Tate has yet to hurt her. The third time could be a charm, though. That would catapult the UFC to even greater heights.
UFC president Dana was grinning ear to ear when referee “Big” John McCarthy was putting the belt around Ronda Rousey’s waist. His plan is working to perfection, with Rousey as one of the company’s biggest stars. In order to push the company along, while further distancing itself from boxing, White will need a true rivalry in the women’s bantamweight division.
Something that is seldom seen happened at UFC 190’s pay-per-view card. They showcased another fight featuring two women participants. Top strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha faced Jessica Aguilar in a bloody battle. Gadelha pulled out a unanimous win over the UFC newcomer, then she quickly called out strawweight champion and rival Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Her intense response did wonders in building up anticipation for a title fight which would look great on the Ronda Rousey/Miesha Tate 3 card.
Rousey called out Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino after last night’s fight: http://t.co/aj901qmCWI pic.twitter.com/dBChywn51A
— SB Nation (@SBNation) August 2, 2015
Building strong rivalries is what made boxing what it is today. Thus far, the UFC has followed that model with one major exception – the rivals actually fight each other. For UFC 191, the main event is a rivalry match between flyweight champion Demetrius Johnson and No. 1 contender John Dobson. It is rematch of one of the greatest flyweight fights ever.
Promos for UFC 191 ran throughout UFC 190. It is incredible marketing on Dana White’s part. This is what has made the UFC successful. Now, if only there was a true challenger for the company’s brightest star.
[Photo by Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport]
