When current Bellator light heavyweight contender and UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz accidentally on purpose tweeted an image of himself in his glory, the media were not clamoring with questions. However, being a woman fighter is still different. And thus it was that UFC women’s bantamweight champion recently took part in a media day at Glendale Fighting Club, and was asked about the degree to which she was scantily clad in a recent Sports Illustrate Swimsuit issue.
“Well, no one saw my vagina,” said Rousey as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMAFighting.com. “There’s the one big difference. The agreement that me and my mom came up with was whatever you’re not willing to show in public, you won’t show in a magazine. So if I’m gonna tan on the beach with my top off facedown, how is that different than anything I’ve shot so far? If they can’t see your cash and prizes, then I’m fine with it. If I’m gonna do that on a Saturday, then what’s wrong with me doing it in a magazine?”
“I purposely, any time I do a shoot that’s aimed for any kind of feminine or sexual purpose, I try to be a little bigger on purpose just to promote a healthier body image. And it’s kind of funny, I think that says a lot more to change what women expect from themselves than not doing anything at all, than withholding any sexuality at all. I think that changing the kind of media and images directed at men changes what women expect out of themselves.”
“I never wore makeup until I was 21, because I was bartending and I needed tips. You never know. I followed where everything went and I’m really happy where I’m at now. I’m glad that I had no clue growing up. I’m glad that I grew up a little slower and I wasn’t into any of that stuff in high school. I wouldn’t have changed anything. I’m happy to be one of the unpopular kids back then, because it makes things so much more satisfying right now.”
Rousey is proving to be as adept at media as she is at fighting. Her frank use of the word vagina is getting some press. And her using her sexuality to combat sexist images of beauty is getting some press, and doing some good, no matter how you look at it.
Final Note: Guys, don’t Google image search Tito – it will do nothing for your self esteem. Women, please don’t Google image search Tito – it will set up unrealistic expectations.
