White explains Rousey media blackout

The UFC 207 main event between champion Amanda Nunes and former champion Ronda Rousey has been marred by two seemingly contradictory actions. One, the UFC marketing has focused almost exclusively on Rousey. And two, Rousey has done no media, save a cameo on an Embedded episode.

If the event was given a name, it would be UFC 207: Where’s Ronda? Prior to the loss of her title to Holly Holm, Rousey was the most interviewed figure in MMA history. But she felt the media duties had been a factor in her loss, and negotiated a media blackout for 207.

During a now rare media scrum, UFC president Dana White said this is not a new rule, it is a single, richly deserved exception. Further, other fighters who skip media duties, including Conor McGregor, will get pulled from the event.

“Ronda Rousey has done a lot,” said White, as transcribed by Adam Guillen Jr. for MMA Mania. “She’s done more media than anyone in the history of the company — major media, media that no one else could get. She did it all and this is something she asked for. It doesn’t open flood gates and it doesn’t change anything. If someone doesn’t want to show up for a press conference, I will pull them from the card again.”

White was asked if McGregor had complained about the unusual agreement with Rousey.

“Wouldn’t that be something, if Conor was complaining about the treatment of another fighter,” quipped White.