Since Ronda Rousey last fought, Conor McGregor became the undisputed UFC featherweight champion with the quickest finish in a title fight, made the first disclosed purse of $3 million and came out on top in the most watched UFC fight of all time.
But he’s still not the biggest superstar in the UFC, according to president Dana White.
In spite of Rousey’s 11-month absence from the Octagon, White insists that the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion still shines brighter than any star on the roster.
It’s a pretty bold claim to make when you consider the fact that ‘The Notorious’ has gone on to break the pay-per-view record that had been held for seven years by UFC 100 when he headlined opposite Nate Diaz at UFC 202 in August.
But White believes the Irishman is still playing second fiddle to ‘Rowdy’ as he quickly responded to a recent question about who he considers the biggest name in the UFC.
“(Ronda Rousey) by far. Not even close. By far the biggest star,” White told New York hip hop radio station Hot 97.
“Ronda Rousey is such a big star. When you go down to Brazil, they don’t care who you are. They want the Brazilian to whup your ass.
“When Ronda went down there, they cheered for Ronda over the Brazilian.
“I’ve never seen that before in my life, and will probably never see it again.
“That’s how big Ronda Rousey is.”
Rousey hasn’t appeared since being brutally knocked out by Holly Holm in the main event of UFC 193 last November and much has been made about a potential comeback fight against Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino.
‘Cyborg’ made her UFC debut in Rousey’s absence, competing twice at a catchweight of 140lbs this year in bouts that both finished in comprehensive TKO victories for the Brazilian.
WATCH: Cyborg scores another terrifiyng finish in her sophomore UFC bout #UFCBrasilia https://t.co/tRSU3y3rdU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 25, 2016
It was believed that ‘Cyborg’, who usually fights at featherweight, was proving that she could make 140lbs in order to set up a super-fight with Rousey, who held the 135lbs title for over two years before she was unceremoniously dethroned.
And White claims that ‘Rowdy’ is not shying away from what would be the biggest bout in women’s MMA history.
“Ronda wants to fight Cyborg,” he added.
“100%. She absolutely does.”
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