Ronda Rousey on Wednesday responded to Jon Jones‘ comments that she gets more of a promotional push from the UFC than he does by saying that she’s owed some of the help.
Jones said last week that he has disagreements with the UFC and he wondered if that plays a role in him not receiving the same kind of promotion from the organization as Rousey receives. Rousey seemed to take that comment personally.
“I feel like, I’m owed a little bit of help, damnit,” Rousey said on a conference call Wednesday to promote her title fight with Sara McMann, according to MMA Fighting. MMA Fighting says Ronda said her comment with a laugh that seemed half-joking, half-serious.
“I had to do so much to get to this, I’m not going to complain about it.”
Rousey is exactly right. The UFC didn’t have women fighting in the organization until her amazing performances and trash talking convinced Dana White to create a women’s division in 2012. It was all through her talent, hard work and promotional efforts. She’s been a pioneer and did a lot of the work on her own before the UFC supported her. She absolutely deserves the push.
Rousey also gets a push from the UFC because she’s a unique talent and has the ability to reach different audiences from Jones. She appeals to a broader array of people and has the unique ability to introduce more fans to the sport. She’s probably the most marketable fighter in the organization especially with GSP and Anderson Silva out, so it makes sense for them to capitalize on her. Also, the UFC can’t waste any time with her knowing that she has thought about walking away from the sport to act in movies.
Maybe Jones doesn’t receive the same push that Rousey does, and maybe that’s partially because he can be uncooperative. But he has been marketed plenty by them. He was sponsored by the UFC, he’s sponsored by Nike and he’s been in a Bud Light commercial with Dana White. Tell me he hasn’t had his moments as the UFC’s favorite.
