Peña: Rousey is arrogant, ignorant, and mean!
Julianna Peña: “That’s when you know someone is arrogant and ignorant. After the couple of run-ins we had on the show, I knew she was a mean girl.”
Ronda Rousey may only have a GED and some college credits, but she plays the media like it is radio. And she appears to do it from the heart – if she feels something, she says it, and it gets a reaction.
In 2013 when Maxim magazine included both Rousey and UFC Octagon girl Arianny Celeste in their Maxim 100, with Rousey at #29 and Celeste at #18, Rousey turned the 2nd place into win.
“It would have been really funny if I’d beaten Arianny Celeste, because that would be like a triathlete coming along and beating the runners in a marathon,” said Rousey at the time. “Like, ‘Ha ha, it’s your job to show your tits – I do that better than you!’ Maybe next year. She’s only getting older, and I’m reaching my prime.”
Celeste took the bait.
I don’t really like the way she carries herself, said Celeste. I don’t think she’s a good role model for women. I think that women should empower each other and give each other a little pat on the back.
Last month Rousey was asked about fighter pay.
“I think that they should get paid more than the ring girls,” said Rousey. “And I don’t know if the ring girls get paid too much or the fighters don’t get paid enough. But yeah. There’s definitely a lot more in what the fighters do than what they do. So, I think that’s one thing that’s unfair.”
Again, Celeste reacted.
“Pretty positive we don’t get paid more than fighters,” she said. “I work my ass off outside of UFC not sure if anyone notices. TALK Is CHEAP. Everything I have I’ve worked hard for. I support my family. I’m happy. Assumptions makes asses out of everyone.”
Celeste doubled down during an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, saying she was “tired of the bullying.”
Rousey did not shrink from the fight.
“What did I say that was a bully?” asked Rousey. “That the fighters should get paid more than the ring girls? How does that make me a bully? That makes me f—ing right. I’m sorry, but she wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for the fighters. She wouldn’t. You think her walking in circles around the two guys or two girls out there fighting for their lives is worth more? Think she works harder than they do?”
Now, much like start of World War 1, the fight is expanding. The #11 ranked women’s bantamweight in the UFC Julianna Peña has risen to Celeste’s defense.
“I felt it was very out of line for Ronda to single out Arianny for multiple reasons,” said Peña to Marc Raimondi for MMAFighting.com. “First off, it’s none of Ronda’s business how much Arianny gets paid. Arianny has been with the company a hell of a lot longer than Ronda has and made the UFC plenty of money and gotten them exposure with things like Maxim, other magazines and TV shows.”
“If Ronda is so close with Dana, she should bring up fighter pay to him instead of looking ignorant. She should just let Arianny do her job and Ronda can do hers. Ring girls and fights go hand in hand and they are an essential part of the show.”
“I love Arianny and think she has a beautiful heart. I stand by her 110 percent.”
“Ronda said I didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Shayna Baszler. That’s when you know someone is arrogant and ignorant. After the couple of run-ins we had on the show, I knew she was a mean girl and I’m not talking about in the cage. I hope I never come across as unsportsmanlike as she is, because that is not a champion.”
Expect Ronda to respond shortly, if she thinks it will get a rise from the fans, and she feels like it. Whether that makes it news is an excellent question.
