With news that UFC 190 earned the UFC the most pay-per-view buys since 2013, we have conclusive proof that the MMA world has truly gone Rousey-mad.
The UFC women’s bantamweight champion’s draw is such that even when she’s expected to definitively beat her opponent, people tune in to see it. Let’s call it the Mike Tyson Factor.
Everyone is tripping over themselves as they try to express just how awe-inspiring a mixed martial artist Rousey is and many argue that she’s the pound-for-pound best in the world.
But one fight fan who is a little less impressed with Rowdy is the outspoken Chael Sonnen who revealed in an interview on Stone Cold Steve Austin’s podcast that Rousey’s technique pales in comparison to that of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“As far as fighting Ronda goes, these girls have one tremendously big obstacle which is that they don’t have the competitive history. Ronda’s skill set is not unique. Jon Jones’ skill set is unique. Jon Jones goes out there and does video game moves that the announcers can’t even call because they’ve never seen them before. Ronda’s a very basic and straightforward fighter, however, she’s a masterful competitor.
“She’s been at it her whole life through the Judo circuit, been to two different Olympic games. She’s shaken hands with another girl, competed with the lights on and found a way to get her hand raised.”
Sonnen went on to explain that it’s Rousey’s experience in the world of Judo and a lack of quality competition that has propelled her to superstar status rather than any supreme fighting advantage.
“These other girls don’t have that,” Sonnen claimed. “The division is brand new. It’s two, maybe three years old. They don’t have the amateur backgrounds, the professional backgrounds or anything extensive. They’re not great competitors. That’s what separates Ronda. It’s more of an intangible than a physical. She’s a competitor and these other girls aren’t.”
