White on Rousey vs Cyborg: The champion doesn’t chase contenders

Ronda Rousey is – by far – the most dominant champion in the UFC. The only credible challenger she has is Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino, who is outside of her weight class and outside the UFC. Many fans want Rousey to meet at a catchweight, citing her Olympic medal at 154, and her first MMA bouts at 145.

However, in an interview with AXS TV, UFC president Dana White said emphatically that the champion doesn’t chase contenders.

“I went and saw Cyborg fight on Friday,” said White. “Vicious … vicious fight. But you’ve got to look at the competition level (it) was a lot different too. She needs to make 135 pounds. If she can make 135 pounds, Ronda wants that fight.”

“The champ doesn’t chase contenders. You want to fight the champion, come to Ronda.”

White also discussed the birth of women in the UFC. It all came from a meeting with Rousey.

“I wasn’t focused on (WMMA), not even a little bit,” said White. “It was the actual meeting that I had with Ronda that changed my mind. There’s certain fighters that you meet with … I don’t know, it’s hard to explain, but this confidence, this air about them … I had the same thing when I met Conor McGregor.

“First time I ever met Conor McGregor, I called Lorenzo on the way home and said ‘Man, I don’t know if this guy can fight, but if he can fight a little bit, he’s going to be a huge star.’

“As soon as I met Ronda that day, 15 minutes into a 45 minute conversation, I said ‘I think I’m going to do this. I came back to the office and started to do some research on the women’s 135 pound division.”

“She’s Tyson like in every sense of the word, from her walkout, to how serious she is. She’s all business. When she comes into the arena that night, she is all business. And it’s awesome. It’s awesome to have her in this company. It’s awesome to watch her do her thing and go through the motions the night of the event.

“It’s incredible – she’s an amazing athlete.”