Issue 113
April 2014
This is your page to tell us what you think of all things Fighters Only and MMA. Get your feelings off your chest where it really matters – in print! Send us your best pictures with your favorite fighters, or copies of FO, and we’ll print them too.
GIRL PROBLEMS
Fighters Only, I am aware that so much has already been reported about Ronda Rousey and that this is becoming old news, but after reading Gareth Davies’ article in issue 63 (Let’s Be Honest About Ronda), I feel that I must have my say.
Prior to The Ultimate Fighter 18, I was a huge Ronda Rousey fan. She had the whole package: good looks, charisma and an incredible ability as an athlete. It is not surprising that the UFC held her up as the flagship for women’s MMA. During TUF 18, however, all that changed. Ronda let down her fans, herself, the UFC and the entire sport of MMA.
MMA is built on respect, humility and integrity. Randy Couture is revered as much for all of these qualities as for his fighting skills. I queued for four hours to meet Randy for four seconds at the UK UFC Fan Expo in London in 2010 such was his appeal. I would not have done so if he had formed a habit of giving the finger to and verbally abusing and disrespecting opponents.
There are great personalities in the sport who use trash talk and show a disrespect for opponents in order to sell fights. Ronda was just downright nasty and showed serious character flaws. Never in the history of the sport has there been anyone who generated such a backlash from the fans for their behavior. Ronda overstepped the mark. She is a mature, professional athlete on national television being showcased as an icon of women’s MMA.
Both her and her entire team should be ashamed of themselves for their conduct, and so should the journalists and personalities who try to excuse and justify her behavior. If a contestant on TUF behaved in the way Ronda and her team did on TUF, would they still be with the UFC today? I think not. The UFC and journalists should stop trying to condone her unacceptable behavior that has caused untold damage to her career and the sport and make her accountable for her actions.
Despite the backlash, she shows no remorse for her actions but continues to repeat them, laughing at the boos and condemnation from the public. As you can no doubt tell, I am no longer a Ronda Rousey fan.
Steve Reed, via email
READER TWEETS
@UFCgal4: The much everybody’s is amping up the @ sonnench / @ wandfc brawl on TUF, it better be GOOD!
@Paulytux: @wandfc what does wand say!!! That video made my day at work so funny! Cheers best of luck with TUF can’t wait to watch!
@tmoh_: So @mark_munoz “Filipino Wrecking Ball” just made my night - It’s hilarious! So how much auto tune did ya use, Kuya Mark!? Lmao!
@LillyReinM: So happy for @rondarousey and the movies!!(: but PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF HUMANITY DO NOT GO HOLLYWOOD ON US!! @ArmbarNation.#rowdy
@hitmanhartmma: CM Punk in mma? That’d be pretty cool
FIGHT TWEETS
@TimKennedyMMA
@mark_munoz I am super pissed at you right now. I’m trying to go to sleep but I keep envisioning you singing Wrecking Ball to me.
@ChrisWeidmanUFC
Honor to be recognized as fighter of the year! Thanks to @FightersOnly and all the fans that voted me in!
@philbaroni
I’ll fight @CMPunk in @BellatorMMA @BjornRebney.
@NotoriousNewell
Didn’t win but I really really appreciate everybody who went out of their way to vote! The @FOawards still were a great time!
@JonnyBones
Hey somebody tell @JoeLauzon i’d beat him in a jujitsu match with my hands taped closed
@sonnench
I have taken control of both teams. Wanderlei is my assistant. Everything will be fine.
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