Talk of Ronda Rousey's 14-second win over Cat Zingano on Saturday night was the most prominent topic on the afternoon TV talk shows yesterday, with ESPN's Dan Le Batard saying Rousey's dominance is "very good for the UFC" and that Rousey has become the "biggest star" for the MMA promotion. Le Batard said of Rousey, "She is now a headliner and she’s the biggest thing in their sport. That she destroys people quickly. That there is no competition doesn’t matter because she’s a dynasty.” He noted this development is "hard to believe" given that UFC President Dana White "said a few years ago that he would never have the circus freak element of having women fight" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN2, 3/2). ESPN’s Michael Smith said Rousey could be the “biggest star in the sport right now.” Smith: “Anybody that good, for me, is worth tuning in for every time she fights” (“His & Hers,” ESPN2, 3/2). CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome said, “You could put Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar and even one of those llamas in the octagon with 'Rowdy Ronda,' and I’m convinced that she’d tap every one of them" ("Rome," CBS Sports Network, 3/2). Columnist Kevin Blackistone said Rousey’s dominance is “great for the sport." He asked, "When is the last time we talked about MMA on this show? When is the last time we talked about MMA women on this show? ... It’s all good for MMA and for the sport.” The N.Y. Daily News’ Frank Isola said Rousey’s dominance “has a Mike Tyson feel to it when he was at his height." Isola: "You watched it thinking, ‘You know what, can anybody survive one round or two rounds?’ Absolutely it’s good for the sport.” Denver Post columnist Woody Paige: “It was great for the sport. The more attention it can bring and more attention it can bring to pay-per-view ... is great.” But ESPN’s Bomani Jones asked, “Is Ronda Rousey going to attract the interest of casual fans? Like, is your mother going to know who Ronda Rousey is? Your mother knew who Mike Tyson was. I don’t think that’s the case with her” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 3/2).
SHOULD UFC WANT COMPETITION? ESPN’s Maria Taylor said Rousey is a great fighter and noted she is "going to bring a lot of publicity to the sport.” But she wondered for UFC, as far as "building storylines and bringing people in to see a really good competition, maybe she’s not that great for the sport” when she defeats opponents so quickly ("His & Hers," ESPN2, 3/2). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said, "The Tyson example is a good example because Tyson built a legend for himself by dispatching people in one round. This is good for her so far, because in fact 95 percent of Americans do not know who she is. So if this builds and they say, ‘You've got to see her and you've got to see her quickly; you’ve never seen anything like this,’ it works. But if I’m working in (UFC) right now, I am hoping and praying that there’s a woman out there that beats her or at least forces a rematch.” ESPN's Michael Wilbon said Rousey's dominance is still good for UFC but noted it "can't go forever." Wilbon: “The legend builds and it builds and it builds. But at some point ... there has to come along a young woman who walks out there at the staredown and says, ‘I’m going to kick your butt tomorrow night’" ("PTI," ESPN, 3/2).
THIS IS HER MOMENT: ESPNW.com’s Ramona Shelburne wrote Rousey "has been a superstar for a while now," but Saturday's fight "elevated her to a new level." She is now "squarely in ... the part of her career in which she can be as picky with the things she chooses.” Shelburne: “The ‘asks’ are rolling in faster than she can read through them -- endorsements, TV appearances, interviews, movie roles, you name it.” It is a “beautiful moment to be in,” and “after working so hard to arrive at it, Rousey says she'll take some time to bask in it.” Rousey is “a superstar who can carry her own main event.” Shelburne: “The spotlight is firmly on her now. She can call all her own shots. Let's see which roles she chooses” (ESPNW.com, 3/2). Rousey already has signed on to star in the upcoming action film "Mile 22" (THE DAILY).
