The world is a far different place today than it was two years ago. Back then a 24-year-old former Olympian made her mixed martial arts pro debut at a small show in southern California. But now Ronda Rousey is a household name, the trailblazer who convinced UFC President Dana White to do a 180-reversal on the women's divisions.
Yet with Hollywood calling, and mainstream opportunities pouring in daily, Rousey may already be preparing an exit strategy to begin the next phase of her life.
"I said from the beginning that I work in quadrennials," Rousey told MMA Junkie. "I do four-year cycles. I think I've got two years left in me, realistically, if I'm going to do this like an Olympic run."
Rousey went on to admit what many within the community have already surmised, namely that acting has a "much longer shelf life" than getting punched in the mouth for a living. She explained that her bout against Liz Carmouche was an eye-opener because it forced her to come to terms with her own mortality as a martial artist.
Of course, Rousey insisted she remains focused on Miesha Tate. Although from her statements, it appears as if her primary goal is to ensure that women maintain their seat at Zuffa's table, and then take her talents to greener pastures.
"I am the best f--king fighter in the world, and I truly believe that, but you're still rolling the dice no matter who you are, so I do have to kind of set up an exit strategy," she said. "That's what I did wrong in judo. I followed it all the way until the end, and I didn't put any thought into after.
"I've got two more years to get the ball rolling without me. TUF was the first step. It's not the last one, but the work's getting done."
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Rousey hints at the end. UFC bantamweight women's champion Ronda Rousey told MMA Junkie she may consider retiring from mixed martial arts in two years.
Shamrock on 'Fight Master.' Frank Shamrock answers your questions, challenges Rampage Jackson to a game of chess, and explains the curious behind-the-scenes way Fight Master handled tourney bouts.
Belfort: TRT fair against opponents. Asked about his TRT usage, Vitor Belfort told Sherdog, "What I'm trying to do, I'm just trying to be fair in my career against my opponent. The TRT is just something my body cannot produce. I'm doing the treatment with doctors, with bloodwork, so everything's pretty black and white. But, all of guys are out there doing a lot of stuff but they don't get caught because they don't have blood."
Magalhaes may retire. Following his 14-second loss to Anthony Perosh at UFC 163, Vinny Magalhaes told MSN he will retire if Zuffa cuts him from its roster.
Johnson out, Arlovski in. An undisclosed injury led Anthony "Rumble" Johnson to withdraw from his WSOF 5 main event clash against Mike Kyle. The last man to fight Johnson, Andrei Arlovski, has been tapped as a replacement.
Sonnen cleared. Call it much ado about nothing. Chael Sonnen got his license to fight Shogun Rua at UFC on FOX Sports 1, despite the best efforts of the Culinary Union.
MEDIA STEW
Okay Tommy, George Romero jiu-jitsu got me.
Your monthly Cat Zingano knee update:
The good folks at MMA Station translated this post-UFC 162 interview with Anderson Silva. It's actually kind of fascinating, especially around the 4:56 mark, when Silva gives the most candid description I've heard of what went wrong:
"During the round breaks, I always go back to my corner. But this time, I didn't come back to my cornermen. I came back to argue with Weidman, asking him to keep the fight on the feet, saying, ‘let's strike, let's give a good show,' when actually I needed to come back to my corner, to get some instructions. I shouldn't have been there, discussing with Weidman. I should have calmed down to receive the instructions in order to do the right things in the second round. And I didn't do that. So I think I was out of control, lost my temper a little bit."
(HT: The Underground)
Before Conor McGregor was mohawk'd UFC prospect, he was just a 23-year-old kid from Dublin trying to stand out amongst the crowd.
Normally I never post pro wrestling videos, but something about this whole situation seems so bizarre.
Ladies and gentleman, a taste of what's to come:
SWEET VINDICATION
Chael vs Shogun LIVE and FREE on FOX Sports 1 August 17th! EAT IT Las Vegas Culinary Union
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 8, 2013
@JMonteith1983 are u embarrassed that u have one follower? Shut your face clown!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 8, 2013
STILL REELING
I cleared 20 rounds yesterday and still couldn't sleep with what went down yesterday. The Celtic Warrior ON AIR, and calling out Roy Jones!!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 8, 2013
ANTICIPATION
This is the only time Ive ever wanted to to be december already :-) pic.twitter.com/EMJ2SWU4AK
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) August 8, 2013
CHECKIN' IN ON EDDIE
Thank you everyone for the continued support every comment good n bad is taken into consideration , still working like crazy regardless THNQ
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) August 9, 2013
A PREDICTION
@cmichealduke I got page winning this one.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 6, 2013
NEVER QUIT
@danawhite @NimaSafapour @ufc @arielhelwani Everybody wants me to fight Vitor, I fight him at any weight. 185, 195 or 205 I am ready fans
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) August 9, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Thursday, August 8, 2013):
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day is dpk875's latest edition of: Prospects to Watch this Weekend
OX MMA - 8 Aug - Ceara, Brazil
HW
Ewerton Teixeira (3-0) vs. Bob Sapp
Teixeria is a Kyokushin Karate world champion and K-1 Veteran who has trained with Junior Dos Santos on a regular basis over the last year. He has an 11-3 record in K-1, and won the 2008 World Grand Prix. This will be his 3rd MMA fight of 2013, and based on his high level combat sport background he will likely land on the UFC, Bellator, OneFC radar pretty quickly. Unfortunantly we won't get to see much here, as it will likely take one halfway decent punch for Sapp to hit the ground and stay there.
Predador FC - 9 Aug - Sao Paulo, Brazil
FLW
Andressa Araujo Rocha (3-0) vs. Livia Renata (2-0)
A couple of undefeated prospects meet in this one. I haven't found much video on Rocha's fights, but Renata is very aggressive attempting submissions, getting dominant position, and finishing her fights.
Pacific Xtreme Combat - 9 Aug - Mangilao, Guam
BW
Russell Doane (10-1) vs. Kyle Aguon
Doane has both a traditional boxing, and high school wrestling background that he has built off in his MMA career. His pro debut was a win over WSOF vet Tyson Nam, and he also has a win over Frank Baca who just competed in the Bellator Bantamweighttournament. Doane's only loss is to undefeated prospect Michinori Tanaka, but he has won two straight since that loss.
CES MMA - 9 Aug - Rhode Island
FW
Rob Font (6-1) vs. Chris Foster (7-2)
Font trains out of Team Sityodtong in Boston, and likes to keep the fight standing. He is also good at mixing in a takedown at the end of close round to secure it, or if his opponent is over committing on the feet. When he gets a takedown he doesn't do much with it, a little GnP before the fight ends back up on the feet. Font's only loss is to Desmond Green, who is fighting in the next Bellator FW tournament. Since then he has reeled off five straight wins
World Series of Fighting - 10 Aug - NBC Sports Network 10:30PM EST - Ontario, CA
I'm not going to go in depth into this card, because it will receive plenty of attention, but I just wanted to highlight a few of my top prospects on this card. Tyrone Spong, Hans Stringer, Marlon Moraes, and Nick Newell are all guys to keep your eye on moving forward.
Review from Last week
C3 Fights
Jared Rosholt only needed 34 seconds to improve to 8-1, with a 1 punch KO. I have no doubt that Rosholt could beat some of the guys on the UFC roster right now, it will be interesting to see if UFC gives him the chance, or wants 1 more fight. Chris Feist improved to 8-0 with a submission victory over Thomas Gifford (7-3), and could be fielding calls from the UFC or Bellator very soon. Jamal Parks picked up a Unanimous decision victory and improved to 3-0. Team Takedown, and fighters based in Oklahoma, and Texas have found a home with C3 fights. They are planning their next show for October, so don't be surprised if we see some of these same names show up on that card. Tyler Shinn (6-1) picked up a UD to break Laramie Shaffer's 6 fight winning streak.
Fight World Cup 15
Mike Tobin (6-0) picked up a Unanimous Decision victory, and picked up the FWC FW title. It was the 1st time he had been past the first round as a pro.
Rhiannon Thompson (4-0) scored a 3rd round TKO over Kenani Mangakahia to remain undefeated. It will be interesting to see if Thompson stays more active, as she has had one fight a year in 2010, 11, 12, and 13. If she does, she should be on Invicta's radar.
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in Monday's column.