Contributor: Nolan Howell
“It’s only the MMA diehards that want to see that fight.” -Ronda Rousey on a potential Cris “Cyborg” Justino fight.
I have not been one that has been easy on UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Given her image that is generally enjoyed (both the literal and figurative image) by the MMA community, it has been a hard time enjoying the reports of every move she makes because she has an attractive look and happens to be really good at MMA.
However, during a media scrum at UFC on Fox 8, the question about the biggest fight WMMA could have to offer came up. In a long statement that featured some valid points to Rousey’s credit, she presented that gem of a statement.
That statement that will likely be swept under the rug or forgotten, but this statement should be taken as somewhat of an insult to the MMA fan.
Firstly, assuming that only hardcore MMA fans watching interprets as the fact that Rousey believes the card wouldn’t draw, it turns out that the champion is not on the highest-viewed female headlined card, according to the stats.
Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg drew an average of 576,000 viewers, with the peak viewership of 856,000 coming during the 
main event. Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey drew an average of 431,000 viewers with a peak of 506,000 for the main event. Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman averaged 676,000 with a peak of 676,000 for the main event.
This proves that her statement is a fallacy, as Cyborg arguably has had the most “casual” exposure in her pinnacle that Rousey has had.
Additionally, Rousey decrying the matchup with that statement cuts at the core of the UFC audience. Without the backing of hardcore fans, there would be no one to snatch up the lesser PPV cards like UFC 147, UFC 161, etc. The hardcore fan arguably also has an effect on the buyrate in terms of buzz with their approval or disapproval.
Despite this statement, Rousey did have a solid point overall. Rousey was quoted as saying if Cyborg wants the fight to happen, ““she needs to get off her ass and try to make (it) happen.” This statement is largely valid, as the onus of getting a shot at the champion requires the challenger to prove themselves either physically or verbally capable of bringing in viewers. Additionally, given the contrast in popularity between the two being further hampered by Cyborg’s steroid bust, it is clear that Rousey has the right to play her chips as she pleases.
It also needs to be taken into consideration that the Cyborg star may have faded. Taking a year off on suspension coupled with being in a promotion that doesn’t hold a major television deal is not the recipe for keeping your name on the minds of the audience.
The UFC is playing their cards right with Ronda Rousey and building her up. Movies, modeling, and a season of The Ultimate Fighter can only further expose Rousey to the masses. However, this can only go so far with the Liz Carmouche and Cat Zinganos of the world that may not present any challenges or public interests in themselves to draw a monster buyrate with the dominant woman’s champion.
If numbers don’t lie and Gina Carano isn’t available (which she rightfully will never be), Cris “Cyborg” Justino is the other half of the most popular WMMA fight of all-time and presents a marketable challenge and look for Rousey.
This match could put a shiny penny in Rousey’s pocket and put a shiny medal on the mantle that would unquestionably establish her as the best WMMA of all=time for an era. Hopefully the two can meet to slug it out in front of many interested eyes before the sun sets on the matchup.
-Nolan can be reached @nolanhowell.
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