McMann Looks to Dethrone Champ Ronda Rousey at UFC 170

Ronda Rousey is one of those rare athletes with the potential to transcend the sport in which she participates. Her unique combination of beauty and brawn has seen her achieve significant success both inside and outside of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ring (octagon). She’s the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion. The undefeated 8-0 record that she currently holds in the mixed martial arts arena has also generated an aura of invincibility around her that’s quickly made her one of the most marketable American sports personalities. Then, there’s the other side of the woman many fans fondly refer to as “Rowdy”. That’s the side which casts her in the role of model and film star. (She famously appeared in ESPN The Magazine’s “The Body Issue” edition in 2012. The 27 year old California native is also set to make her big screen debut in the action-packed flick The Expendables 3, which is set to be released on August 15.) However, when the multi-talented superstar steps into the ring against a hungry Sara McMann On February 22, her reputation, popularity, and earning power will count for very little.

 

Clash of the Titans – The Similarities

 

Ronda Rousey

The highly anticipated bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann headlines the UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann fight card, which is scheduled to take center stage inside Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. While there are many other exciting matchups on the bill, there’s no doubt that most attendees and TV viewers will have most of their attention squarely focused on the clash which pits both of these top female fighters against each other. On the surface, the two combatants appear to have very little in common. However, a closer look at the careers of this duo of outstanding fighters serves up some very interesting parallels. Here’s a rundown:

 

• They’re both undefeated

Due to the deafening buzz surrounding Ronda Rousey and her 8-0 record, you might’ve found it extremely difficult to hear that Sara McMann has also never experienced the agony of defeat in her professional career. The 33 year old challenger enters UFC 170 with a perfect 7-0 record in the bouts that she’s contested so far. Admittedly, there are quite a few people who share the opinion that she hasn’t faced the quality of opposition that her more decorated rival has come up against. However, while there might be some merit in this view, you just can’t totally overlook the fact that she’s developed the healthy (and hard to break) habit of winning.

 

• They’ve both represented the United States at the Olympics

Ronda Rousey isn’t the only one who’s carried the red, white, and blue standard with distinction at the Olympic Games. Sara McMann is also a medal-winning Olympian. She preceded Rousey to the Olympic medal podium by capturing the silver medal in the women’s freestyle wrestling event at the 2004 edition of the prestigious competition in Athens, Greece. Rousey’s bronze medal-winning effort came at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where she was the only American judoka (judo competitor) – male or female – to walk away with a coveted medallion. So, from this perspective, they’re both decorated American ambassadors. This is yet another interesting storyline heading into the big showdown on Saturday, February 22.

 

Clash of the Titans – The Differences

Fans of sports such as mixed martial arts and boxing will tell you that “styles make fights”. Generally, contrasting fighting techniques (and personalities) contribute to the most compelling contests. Here are a few key differences between Rousey and McMann that could make this clash the amazing spectacle that you’re hoping to see.

 

Sara McMann

 

• McMann is the more versatile fighter

There’s no disguising the type of fighter that Ronda Rousey is. She’s a submission specialist who tries to get things done and dusted in the shortest time possible. All of her nine professional mixed martial arts bouts have ended with her opponent throwing in the towel after being pinned to the mat and locked in her signature arm bar submission move. That’s not to say that she can’t win the fight by employing any other strategy. On the other hand, McMann’s demonstrated a bit more versatility during her undefeated run. She’s knocked out an opponent, forced three to submit, and slugged it out for unanimous decision victories over three more. It’ll be interesting to see if she’ll be able to force Rousey out of her comfort zone during their upcoming bout.

 

• McMann is soft-spoken; Rousey is decidedly not

Ronda Rousey is many things. However, soft-spoken is one thing that she definitely isn’t. She speaks her mind at all times – even when it rubs other people, including some of her opponents, the wrong way. On the flipside, McMann has been described by numerous mixed martial arts insiders as soft-spoken and polite. In the lead up to the fight, this personality clash has been one of the many compelling storylines.

 

How to Watch

I’m sure that there are many questions floating around in the heads of fans as they prepare to watch Sara McMann face Ronda Rousey at UFC 170. All of these questions will be answered on the night of February 22. Four of the six bouts on the preliminary card can be seen on Fox Sports 1. However, you’ll need to purchase the event on pay-per-view to watch the marquee matchup and the four additional fights that comprise the main card.

 

McMann Looks to Dethrone Champ Ronda Rousey at UFC 170