Ronda Rousey’s evening of awkward interviews

UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s disdain for challenger Miesha Tate was on full display Saturday night.

When Jon Anik asked Rousey what would be the major difference between their upcoming rematch and their first fight, Rousey was dismissive.

“I’m a more improved fighter since,” the champion replied as transcribed by MMAFighting. “I don’t think I’ve seen as good a performance from her since I won the title and she’s fought a few times since then. I feel like I have so many advantages I don’t even know what is the difference.”

When it was Tate’s turn to talk, Rousey looked away, eventually yawning.

Anik asked Tate how she’ll keep her emotions in control during the fight on Dece 28, as Tate had described that as the reason she lost the first fight.

“I got a lot of practice those six weeks,” said Tate. “I’m trying to stay as emotionally uninvested as possible.”

Rousey’s mood was not improved after Team Tate members Chris Holdsworth and Julianna Pena became the season 18 Ultimate Fighters. Further, Rousey was doubtless shaken by the tragic news that her Fast and Furious 7 co-star Paul Walker died in an automobile crash.

On FOX Sports 1’s post-fight show fight show with Anik and Ariel Helwani, Rousey repeatedly told Anik and Helwani she has better things to do than talk to them. Anik then afforded Rousey the opportunity to leave, but in yet another awkward moment, she continued to sit, looking upset.

Further, Rousey said she never watched the the season.

“I still haven’t watched any of the episodes,” said Rousey. “If you want to get the real person via a reality TV show you’re not going to get the right person. For all I know Kim Kardashian could be a rocket scientist. I’m happy that a lot of people know the girls now and they got to fight on the big stage. I don’t have to worry about leaving that Gina Carano void. I feel like I have a couple of heartbroken kids I have to go talk to and I’m stuck here talking to you guys.”

We live in a world where figures in the public eye only rarely show their genuine selves. In a sport that is as real as it gets, that is something of a travesty. In this sense, Rousey, like the Diaz brothers, is refreshing.

However, the great hope of course is that a fighter’s true self shows integrity, compassion, strength, and otherwise serves as a role model in a world that is short of them. Kigoro Kano famously explained that the purpose of Judo is the development of character – he would know, as he invented the sport.

Ronda Rousey certainly posseses remarkable character, overcame much, and is commendable in many, many, many ways. But she too often seems determined to be ‘Pouty” Ronda Rousey instead of ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey. It would not be fake if she wanted to dig into that great store of good sportsmanship, and nuance her public persona. It would be a sign of maturity. But apparently, she simply doesn’t want to.

Rousey has said that editing of the reality series cast her in a false light, but if you want to look good in life, don’t give a fellow professional the finger while mouthing “F— you bitch.”

Two of the realest characters in MMA, Rousey and Nate Diaz, spoke Saturday. Diaz’s post fight stream of thought in the cage was amusedly hailed as among the best ever. Rousey got a radically different response from the fans. You cannot attribute the differing responses simply to sexism. The difference is simple – Ronda Rousey too often appears to be mean spirited.

Rousey and Tate will fight on Dec. 28 in the co-main event at UFC 168 in Las Vegas, and we will all be watching.