Rousey vs Tate: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

I'm a MMA fan. I occasionally order a UFC PPV when I think the card is good, but I primarily watch StrikeforceFC (recently purchased by UFC) cards because the are the more interesting and accessible. Strikeforce is unique for a two reasons. As major networks started to realize the marketing potential MMA events, Stikeforce (formerly known as EliteFC) was one of the first to break prime time TV with CBS a few years ago. Second it's one of the only prominent MMA promotions that has a women's division.  Flash forward to March 3, Strikeforce's second event of 2012 and the main event features Miesha "Takedown" Tate vs "Rowdy"Ronda Rousey.

The Good 

Miesha Tate

Ronda Rousey

Not since the Cyborg vs Carano bout back in 2009, has a women's match gotten such hype to be the main event. They've had huge Twitter war going for months, which has even caught the eye of their new boss Dana White. They've talked ish about each other on just about every form on media possible. With Tate's wrestling background and Rousey's bronze medal winning Judo, everyone is expecting this fight to be on the ground.






The Bad

Sarah Kaufman

 Rousey shouldn't be in this match. The person that should fighting is former champ Sarah Kaufman (who's fighting in the under card the same night). Rousey has a professional MMA record of 4-0. Add her amateur record and she's 7-0 (all by submission), which in my in mind is hardly deserving of title match. Kaufman boasts 14-1 record. Her only loss was Marloes Coenen. Since losing the title back in 2010 she has won her last 2 matches. She and Tate have a history (She beat Tate in her Strikeforce debut, and Tate has wanted to even the score). Pound for pound, Kaufman is one of the best fighters out there and she deserves a shot to get her title back.

 The Ugly
So why are seeing Tate vs. Rousey instead of Tate vs. Kaufman II? The simple answer is "She who barks loudest and talks the most ish gets seems get a shot at the belt." When it comes to talking ish, Rousey has spared no expense to run off at the mouth at every opportunity possible. Since coming to Strikeforce, her words have been less than complimentary to her fellow fighters through websites, Twitter, Facebook, chat shows, you name it and she ain't making any friends. In her own words Rousey primarily pushed for this fight because sex sells and she and Tate are the more attractive women in the promotion. Somewhere some Strikeforce higher ups maybe looking to make an impression with the UFC bought into that premise and booked the match. Now, I'm not trying to hate on Rousey. I've watched her matches, read, or listened to her interviews since she has come to Strikeforce. If women's MMA needs someone to wear the "black hat", then Rousey is your woman.
But, I've also seen Sarah Kaufman, and it seriously bothers me that she's fighting in the under card rather than title bout with Tate. It's pretty much understood that anyone who is participates in any form of combat sports, whatever attractiveness or handsome qualities they might have can be taken away with one good punch or kick to the face. The men's divisions aren't weighed or measured by the attractiveness of the male fighters (at least from a guy's perspective). In fact we like to see the guys with scars and busted up faces, because it makes them look more menacing. So why is it that the this main event title bout is driven not solely on the merits of the competitors, but their sex appeal. Kaufman is the better fighter for this match, but apparently not the marketable one for a main event, and that makes me sad. What's worse is that I have no doubt in my mind that if Tate vs. Kaufman II were to happen on this card or down the road it wouldn't be a main event.