UFC President Dana White said that Ronda Rousey's "refusal to talk to the news media in the lead-up" to her UFC 207 bout on Friday against Amanda Nunes had "caused him logistical headaches, and insisted he will never again allow her to sidestep promotional obligations," according to Martin Rogers of USA TODAY. White added that Rousey’s contribution to women’s MMA has been "so significant that she had earned a one-time opportunity to speak with her actions rather than words." White: "This is the way she wanted it. The only thing she cares about right now is focusing on winning, She has done a lot of things for us. This is what she wanted and we gave it to her." He added, "This is a one and done. It doesn’t open the floodgates, it doesn’t change anything. If someone doesn’t show up for a press conference I will pull them from a card." Conor McGregor notably was pulled from the UFC 200 card when he refused to participate in fight-related media appearances (USA TODAY, 12/29). More White: "Ronda has given more than anybody. If you look at the amount of press given by any fighter in UFC history, Ronda smokes everyone by a long shot. ... She's done a lot for her company, done a lot for the sport, done a lot for women. This is what she asked for. She's never asked for much. She asked for this, and we said yes" (ESPN.com, 12/28). In L.A., Lance Pugmire writes Rousey "remains incredibly popular and her comeback is the selling point to the UFC 207 promotion, though White conceded that hyping the bout without her voice is 'definitely not ideal.'" Meanwhile, White "laughed off a question on whether the new UFC ownership group WME-IMG ... was behind Rousey’s hiding act as a ploy to fuel intrigue and sales" for the $59.95 PPV. WME-IMG also reps Rousey (L.A. TIMES, 12/29).
STAR TREATMENT: In N.Y., George Willis writes Rousey’s ability to "dictate the terms of her promotional duties is being viewed as a double standard by some." Fighter T.J. Dillashaw, who is among those behind the creation of the MMA Athletes Association, said, "The UFC is messing up by letting it happen. Dana has always said no UFC fighter will ever be bigger than the promotion. But we’re seeing that happen." Willis notes it also "can’t be forgotten" that WME-IMG "counts Rousey among its clients." In an effort to appease Rousey, the UFC "hasn’t been very fair with Nunes," who also was not available to the media Wednesday. Nunes' exposure has been "limited as a result of Rousey’s media boycott." The last time Rousey was seen on a UFC stage was "for a brief stare-down pose with Nunes" at the weigh-in for UFC 205 at MSG. Otherwise, Rousey’s promotion of this bout has been "limited to videos and snap shots on social media produced by UFC and its sponsor Reebok" (N.Y. POST, 12/29).
DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole noted while the marketing for UFC 207 is "are focused on Rousey, the media is entirely focused on Nunes." Part of the line of questioning has been her "level of frustration with being largely excluded from the marketing blitz." UFC analyst Joe Rogan called it "extremely bizarre" that Nunes has not been more prominent in the fight’s marketing. But the UFC "made a calculated decision." Iole: "It figured, probably correctly, that it would be a lot more effective in terms of selling pay-per-views to feature Rousey’s return than to focus on building the largely unknown new champion." Meanwhile, Nunes "laughed at the notion that she’s angry the UFC has focused so much on Rousey in its promos" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/28).
