LAS VEGAS — A press gathering took place Wednesday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena to promote UFC 207 on Friday night. All the fighters on the card were in attendance except for the main event, featuring Amanda Nunes against Ronda Rousey.
It’s the most glaring example of Rousey’s self-imposed blackout of the mixed martial arts media, an unprecedented move for a UFC pay-per-view event that has raised questions about her mental state, as well as how the UFC will conduct business in the future under its new ownership.
Except for an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres and an exclusive interview for ESPN, Rousey largely has remained secluded as she prepares for her first fight since losing the women’s UFC bantamweight championship to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.
In negotiating her much-anticipated comeback, Rousey stipulated she would do a bare minimum of high-profile appearances. The last time she was seen on a UFC stage was for a brief stare-down pose with Nunes, the current women’s bantamweight champ, at the weigh-in for UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden. Otherwise, Rousey’s promotion of this bout has been limited to videos and snapshots on social media produced by UFC and its sponsor Reebok.
Rousey’s ability to dictate the terms of her promotional duties is being viewed as a double standard by some. UFC president Dana White pulled the company’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, from the main event of UFC 200 in July when he refused to show for the initial press conference in Las Vegas, insisting it was part of a fighter’s obligation to appear. Now Rousey has been given special treatment.
“I think the UFC is messing up by letting it happen,” said T.J. Dillashaw, the men’s No. 1-ranked bantamweight, who will face No. 2-rated John Lineker on Friday. “Dana has always said no UFC fighter will ever be bigger than the promotion. But we’re seeing that happen.”
Others aren’t as offended.
“Ronda Rousey has already built her career and built her name,” said Neil Magny, a welterweight contender originally from Brooklyn, who faces Johny Hendricks on the main card Friday night. “Media days are more important for guys like me who are trying to make a name for themselves. I need the media to build my career and let people know who I am.”
White explained his leniency with Rousey in the ESPN article, saying, “She worked harder than anybody for years, and she needed a break. Now that she’s coming back, I’m kind of letting her do it on her terms.”
It also can’t be forgotten that talent agency WME-IMG is a new owner of the UFC after purchasing it for $4 billion in August and counts Rousey among its clients.
Rousey is unapologetic about not being more available to fans and the mainstream media.
“All I care about is winning this f—ing fight,” Rousey said in the ESPN interview.
In an effort to appease Rousey, the UFC hasn’t been very fair with Nunes, the reigning champion, who wasn’t made available to the media Wednesday either. Her exposure has been limited as a result of Rousey’s media boycott. Traditionally pre-fight press conferences produce highlights that are replayed on all the major networks, and Rousey and Nunes would have attracted worldwide attention. Instead, it will have to wait until Thursday’s weigh-in.
Before their face-off in New York, Nunes said Rousey’s media boycott was a sign she is “weak mentally as a person.” Nunes won the bantamweight title from Miesha Tate at UFC 200 and will be making her first defense.
“She doesn’t want to say anything and doesn’t give anybody any time,” Nunes told The Post. “That’s going to be bad for her. In martial arts, you learn to be humble and have the discipline and focus to come back stronger. I don’t know why she’s been like that. It doesn’t make any sense.”