Combat sports may not be every colligate’s thing, but you’ve definitely heard these two names: Floyd Mayweather and Ronda Rousey . As dominate forces in their respective sports (MMA for Rousey and boxing for Mayweather) they’ve gotten a lot of attention recently, bringing some mainstream appeal into their industry. It’s an understatement to say these two could not be more different. Mayweather is known as a savvy businessman who makes millions off of the same pay-per-views he main events. Rousey is known as the headstrong, outspoken, sometimes brash woman who is changing the game.
Rousey and Mayweather, photo from people.com
But they do share one common quality: no one has been able to beat them. Rousey, whose last title defense fits on Instagram video, was even named by Sports Illustrated as “The World’s Most Dominate Athlete” in May. It was huge for female athletes, as she beat out men such as Labron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and yes, Floyd Mayweather. Yet, Mayweather famously claimed he didn’t even know who she was, “Whoever she is… I wish her nothing but the best.”
That didn’t fly with Rousey, a woman who makes it clear how hard she’s fought to gain this level of success. In July, that sucess continued, as she won the EPSY Award for Best Fighter. The never-shy Rousey took the opportunity to call him out. “ I wonder how Floyd feels being beat by a woman for once,” she said, potentially alluding to allegations of domestic abuse, “I’d like to see you pretend not to know who I am now”
Rousey at the ESPYs, Gif from Tumblr.com
This is a feud based on pride, and pride is something very crucial to being a successful fighter. Their media fight turned recently, and brought in the thing Mayweather is most known for: money.
Mayweather on the cover of the ESPN Money Issue, Photo from ESPNfrontrow.com
“I’ve yet to see any MMA fighter…make over $300 million in 36 minutes” he said in an interview after her remarks, “When she can do that, then call me.” But Rousey didn’t take that one lying down, responding on TMZ “I actually did the math and given the numbers of my last fight… I think I actually make 2-3 times more per second…So when he learns to read and write, he can text me.”
Their public back-and-forth has always danced around the idea of them fighting each other, and it’s been dismissed as impossible with their difference in fighting styles. On top of that, Rousey acknowledges the bad PR that sort of fight would bring. Mayweather, on the other hand, said just last week that he would pay $100,000 to any woman who could beat him.
If Mayweather remains victorious, however, “She will have to make me a sandwich-that’s what I get for winning.” We’ll let that stament speak for itself.