Ronda Rousey can take out reality show frustration on Miesha Tate
Ronda Rousey clearly prefers being a movie star to a reality star, but at least she’ll be able to write her own ending.
Rousey, the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight champion from Venice, will defend her belt against rival Miesha Tate on Dec. 28 at UFC 168 in Las Vegas.
Before Rousey, 26, went off to star in the coming installments of “The Expendables†alongside Sylvester Stallone in Bulgaria, and “The Fast and the Furious,†she endured filming the UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter†reality television series with Tate (13-4).
It didn’t go well.
Beyond the tension that already existed following their March 2012 fight, won by Rousey (7-0) via first-round armbar, the champion accused Tate of engaging in sinister behind-the-scenes activities to offend Rousey during “TUF†filming to strengthen the producers’ aim of casting Rousey as the villain.
Talking to reporters Thursday at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, Rousey said she found herself in a “post-Ultimate Fighter funk†after the experience that preceded the movie filming.
“We were really mistreated and really disrespected by the whole production staff,†Rousey said of the Fox Sports’ reality show produced by Pilgrim Studios. “Everyone was constantly being instigated and manipulated to get the most dramatic response. … Constantly poked and prodded, like we weren’t even people. … It left a sour taste in my mouth.â€
Rousey accused Tate of orchestrating mischief, such as putting a Rousey fighter in danger of being kicked off the program while insensitively ridiculing and provoking Rousey’s coach.
That, and not an unpleasant disposition, is why Rousey was caught extending her middle finger toward Tate on the show, she said.
“They edited as they pleased,†Rousey said. “They needed a villain and they made me fill that role. … It came off terribly for me.â€
Rousey said she watched only one episode, when she was tricked into appearing at the “TUF†premiere.
UFC President Dana White, whose company is a partner of Pilgrim Studios, said, “Pilgrim Studios didn’t do any voiceovers. The first time you’re on a show like this it’s a little interesting to watch yourself on film. We’ve done 20 of these, and I don’t always like watching myself.
“Ronda wasn’t a fan of ‘TUF.’†The last thing we want to do is make our fighters look bad, but reality happens, and the reality is she doesn’t like Miesha Tate and she didn’t like being that close to her for so long.â€
The culmination is the fight, and Rousey said as she nears closing her six-week training camp in Glendale she is prepared to retain her belt and return to reflecting her prior image as the witty, tough brawler who persuaded UFC President Dana White to introduce women’s fighting in the organization in February.
“Everyone’s memory is as long as their Twitter timeline,†Rousey cracked.
Admitting that “it’s hard to sell the fight†without the reality show drama, given her prior dominance of Tate, Rousey said she’s nonetheless prepared for Tate to produce an improved performance.
“I’ve prepared for the worst-case scenario,†Rousey said. “I’m constantly talking her up, that she’s going to be in the best shape of her life, that she’s going to have a perfect game plan. I’ve spent this whole camp focusing on every single weakness I could possibly have. I assume she’s going to be perfect, and that I’m getting ready for a perfectly trained athlete … that’s going to fight me for a five-round brawl.
“She expects me to go out and make stupid mistakes and gas out. I expect a lot more from her, and I’ll be better prepared.â€
Rousey is an 11-to-1 favorite at the MGM Resorts’ sports book.
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