Is ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey’s Dominance Good for the UFC?

   by  PedroGaytan 

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With her latest 34-second KO of undefeated fighter Bethe Correia, ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey has now defended her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship for the sixth time. Her last five defenses now include wins over two previously unbeaten fighters and have lasted a little over three minutes in total. Her next possible opponents include someone she has already beaten twice (Miesha Tate) and someone who isn’t even in the same division as her (Cris Cyborg). It is undeniable that Rousey has dominated her division and sport, but is her dominance really a good thing for the UFC? The answer to that question is all a matter of perspective.

As a Promoter

 Yes because…

Rousey is the main cash cow for the UFC. People are paying to see her fight, regardless of the name and reputation of the other opponent. Being on a win streak is also a big plus because while some people are paying to see her defend her belt and keep her perfect record intact, many more people are paying to see her lose both. It is the same reason why boxer Floyd Mayweather can easily generate millions of dollars for his so-called ‘fights.’ Many people want to see the people at the top of their sports fall.

No because…

It gets harder and harder to sell her fights. As mentioned before, her next opponent could possibly be Miesha Tate, an opponent she has defeated twice already. In one fight, Rousey broke her arm with her famed armbar submission. Her other possible opponent, Cris Cyborg, tested positive for steroids a few years back. Both of those scenarios are difficult to sell to the paying customer considering one fighter has been dominated by Rousey and the other is a known cheater. While it might be somewhat easier to sell a Rousey vs. Cyborg I rather than a Rousey vs. Tate III, Cyborg still has to remain clean, which is something that a promoter cannot control.

As a Female Fighter

 Yes because…

She is drawing in a huge interest to the female side of the UFC. That interest will result in a larger focus on this side, especially for fighters that happen to be in the bantamweight division as well. She is also being a role model for young girls that are interested in the sport, which will create a breakthrough and generate more female fighters in the future.

No because…

The interest that Rousey is generating for the UFC works both ways. While she is attracting attention to female fighters, most of that attention is focused solely on her. This takes away the spotlight from other fighters that are also really good but not as good as Rousey.

As a Fan

 Yes because…

If you’re rooting for Rousey, of course you are excited to see her keep winning.

 No because…

Rousey’s dominance implies one of two things if not both: (1) She is way too good for her division or (2) there is a lack of competition in her division. Either way, she will be perceived as untested. As a fan, you want the headlining bout in any UFC event to be a great fight. Sooner or later, you’re going to get tired of waiting all night for the main event just to blink or turn away for just a minute and find out that it is already over.

Whatever perspective fits you, it is clear that Rousey’s dominance is both a good and bad thing for the UFC.