Ronda Rousey and Arianny Celeste will not be having coffee together anytime soon.
As many of you know, the UFC women’s bantamweight champion and the sport’s most recognizable ring girl have a history of verbal sparring. That continued last week when Rousey said that ring girls have no business making as much or more money than fighters.
On Wednesday, Celeste referred to Rousey as a “bully” in an interview with MMAjunkie Radio.
“I’m not going to talk about her because I’m not a fighter,” Celeste said. “I’m not going to waste my time. I actually don’t talk about anyone. It blows my mind that someone who doesn’t even know me continuously picks on me. And that’s all I see her as: a big bully.”
Naturally, the arm bar queen disagreed.
“What did I say that was a bully?” Rousey said Wednesday afternoon, per Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting. “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?”
While fighters may work harder physically, Celeste was quick to point out that her schedule is just as demanding.
“I think people don’t realize how much work it is to be a model, be a host, be an Octagon Girl,” she said. “Not only are you walking around in a bathing suit where people are critiquing you for that, but try having a camera in your face and showing your personality and being a host of a TV show. Trying being like a live mannequin and having clients put you in a million different outfits, and you’re wanting to go home, but you’re not able to because you have 50 different more outfits. It’s not as easy as it looks or seems to be in my shoes. And not a lot of people would know that unless they were in my shoes.”
Celeste later took to Twitter to rip Rousey and tell her to have some class.
Last I checked, I'm not a fighter and never will be. Although, I have nothing but respect for our athletes. They are the best in the world.
— Arianny Celeste (@AriannyCeleste) February 26, 2015
So please, have some class like the one of the best fighters in the world should have. Focus on your fight, not me. Thank u.Much respect.
— Arianny Celeste (@AriannyCeleste) February 26, 2015
And if you think Rousey just has something against all ring girls, you’re wrong. She said she has “a lot of respect” for UFC ring Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer.
“She went and became a ring card girl to pay her way through art school and become a renowned artist,” Rousey said. “And her being ring card girl helps her promote her art. If you’re working at Hooters because you’re trying to pay your way through medical school, then f—ing work it girl. I respect the hustle.
“But don’t think you’re hot sh– just because you work at Hooters. Use it to further yourself in life; don’t think that you’re awesome just because you do that. I’m sorry, but I’m not impressed with the job in itself.”
Again, this is nothing new. Celeste said last year that she dislikes the way Rousey carries herself and had some choice words about the 28-year-old fighter setting an example for women. Those comments came after Rousey took a series of public shots at Celeste in previous years. The two will simply never get along.
