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New UFC strawweight Bec Hyatt has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. In just over two years of fighting as a professional (5-3 overall), Hyatt has cultivated one of the more loyal, rabid fanbases in women's MMA. Speaking with SiriusXM Fight Club Thursday, Hyatt admits that sex appeal plays a large role in gaining exposure in women's MMA, but believes the same could be said of every other sport.
"I think it plays a big part in women's MMA and any sport, really," says Hyatt. "People try to think that it doesn't but, really, we all judge people. We're all looking at that one guy going, 'he's hot.' So I think it does play a huge role. I try to let my fighting do the talking. I don't like showing my butt and getting my boobs out and stuff like that. I do not sell myself like that, but I'm sure I've got a few fans because they like the way I look. I don't know. Yea, I like to let the fighting do the talking but if people follow me because they like that I have tattoos or crazy hair then so be it. It doesn't worry me why people follow me. As long as I stay true to myself. I always say I'll never sell my soul. I'll never do a naked shoot or anything like that, but each to their own."
As one might expect, Hyatt is particularly excited about being introduced to larger audiences through 'The Ultimate Fighter.'
"I welcome it. I love the exposure. As you know, they call me the marketing genius. I think it's awesome. The exposure us girls are going to get is going to be amazing. Just like the 135ers. It's really helped women's MMA take off. There's nothing bad that can come out of this. Nothing at all."
While several UFC women's bantamweights have stated an interest in coaching the series' next installment, Hyatt wouldn't mind training with a pair of the top flyweights.
"I think it'd be really cool to have men coaches. Just to change it up a bit. Like the last season was women coaches so give two guys a spot. I was thinking of Demetrius Johnson or someone like that, the little guys. Little midget for entertainment."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
POTUFC. UFC president Dana White talks UFC on FOX 9, Georges St-Pierre, Ben Askren, UFC sponsorships, strawweights, Mark Hunt vs. Antonio Silva and more.
GSP's future. The UFC will hold a media call with both St-Pierre and Dana White Friday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. ET to cover "stuff that people want to hear" according to White.
Imagine the pranks. Ahead of coaching alongside Wanderlei Silva for TUF Brazil 3, Chael Sonnen has officially reached out to Ed Soares about Anderson Silva joining his coaching staff.
Bigfoot moving on. Antonio Silva says he's interested in new challenges after his five-round war with Mark Hunt.
Stats. With four athletes competing this weekend at UFC on Fox 9, Fightnomics takes a look at how much Duane Ludwig has improved Team Alpha Male.
MEDIA STEW
UFC on FOX 9 pre-fight press conference.
Joe Rogan and Eddie Bravo Talk Rickson Gracie and Kron Gracie at ADCC 2013.
GLORY Superfights Series Tokyo - Yuta Kubo.
Action from Cage 24:
Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas vs. Niko Gjoka.
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Adam Ward.
Marcus Vänttinen vs. Charles Andrade.
Highlights from EFC Africa 26.
Which works nicely with this profile on Nkazimulo Zulu.
Cung Le made a movie with Dolph Lundgren.
Action from Cage Warriors 62:
Martin Sheridan vs. Jordan Desborough.
Ronan McKay vs. Leeroy Barnes.
Ian Entwistle vs. Liam James.
Tommy Quinn vs. Dan Hope.
TWEETS
Get well soon.
Surgery went amazing!!! Thanks for all the prayers and positive vibes!!! #roadtorecovery http://t.co/1PQs59ikAA
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 12, 2013
@dukeroufus love u too coach! Let's shut all these haters up when I'm ready!
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 13, 2013
Hey guys Surgery went well, I'll be off for 6-9months. Still overwhelmed by all the support from my fans! This... http://t.co/sjr8uS1oyD
— Dylan Andrews (@dylanthevillian) December 13, 2013
Hey @ufc check out my first BJJ roll since the surgery! https://t.co/NFehpN2oMi
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 12, 2013
It's how you use them.
I guess Disney heard y'all making fun of my arms and made me a shirt :( haha my wife is laughing it up pic.twitter.com/NRzE5GVtuJ
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) December 12, 2013
Maybe for Christmas.
I heard Cletus was rocking my bow-tie. Hit up @dethrone for the original and the all new 'Notorious' range!!! http://t.co/6f8X5hFHCp #No1
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 13, 2013
I still need to see some gameplay footage.
They're coming! First #EASPORTSUFC in-game screenshot: Jon Jones. Want another? Click here: http://t.co/xHGbRUaI21 pic.twitter.com/Ss23ZeqZj6
— EA SPORTS UFC (@EASPORTSUFC) December 12, 2013
'Trash day' sounds better than 'earned meal.'
Trash day! I deserve!!!! Dia do lixo, eu mereço!!!! http://t.co/rgEdUbeIfi
— Juliana Lima (@julianalimabh) December 12, 2013
Zingano vs. Carmouche?
Welp...looks like I wont be making 115lbs for the @UFC #tuf20 lol! But id love to coach @danawhite pic.twitter.com/j2cUlPuafd
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 12, 2013
or
I'm free to coach tuf I coached 8 years while I was wrestling @danawhite and that will let me wait for winner of Jones vs Glover. @ufc
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 13, 2013
New money.
I'm about to surprise myself with a gift ... What should I buy and how surprised should I act ??
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) December 12, 2013
Well shit! ...throw me $32k and give me 5 months notice & I'll make 115lbs too! 😁
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) December 13, 2013
Ready for Saturday.
I'm kinda going thru #XboxOne withdrawals right now. It only strengthens my will to win this fight though. #GameHardFightHard @Xbox
— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) December 12, 2013
Made weight no big deal just ate. see u at weigh ins. @PhaseIV is the truth & wouldn't be here with out em. At least not on weight that is.
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) December 13, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 12 2013)
Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury at UFC 171
Alex Garcia vs. Sean Spencer at UFC 171
Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee at UFC 169
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via leriksson.
This is the news I've been waiting for.
11 strawweights extracted from Invicta for TUF in the summer, 5 more girls will be chosen by open try-outs, the 11 strawweights were given 32 thousand up front. Esparza got 40 thousand for being the Invicta Champ.
I have a plethora of copious, abundant, surplus thoughts for this news. And I don't really know where to start so here goes.
First off, I wrote a couple hundred words about how I loved that TUF would get the girls maximum exposure, but also how I hated that it would be taped and not live. It was painful to write, so I'm just gonna sum it up.
I never followed the male TUF at all through any social media, so I never knew what was going to happen (it was like watching it live), but I had an added interest in the women this past season, seeing as I "cover" it and what not, so I was on Twitter, checking out what was being said. The girls and coaches (Mostly Miesha, since Ronda was filming) gave so much and there not exactly spoilers, but definitely "indication" of what was happening. I don't wanna know it's gonna be a great fight. I don't wanna know it's must-see. And when I see a girl promoting the hell out of her fight (Tweeting, doing interviews etc), i.e. Julianna Pena, I can't help but think this girl ain't losing. And this proved true. It took out the suspense and some unpredictability of many fights.
Check out the rest of the post here.
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