Well, the big day is finally upon us. Tomorrow’s UFC 157 Pay-Per-View live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California marks the debut of Ronda Rousey as the first ever Women’s Champion, as she’ll face off against Liz Carmouche in a main event match that most people, Dana White included, never thought would happen. We’ve been excited about it for quite some time, and now that it’s finally here… I’m a little nervous about it.
Let’s be real – there are a ton of male UFC fans who don’t want to watch this fight, and they will be cheering for it to suck so they can all pump their fists at White and demand that he never let it happen again. That’s why, on one hand, it’s important for Rousey to win and do it with authority so she can prove that she belongs in the UFC. On the other hand, if she does win with authority, then her presence could become a novelty and we may never have a true women’s opponent that can defeat her. On a third, mutant hand, if she loses, it could be the last we ever see of the women’s division, because everyone will be furious after all of the hype. And anything in between will be regarded as boring and fuel the debate against women being allowed on the main card.
That said, I’m not trying to soapbox or grandstand some great defense of women fighters, but I hope the majority of UFC fans are willing to give them a chance tomorrow night, and I hope Rousey and Carmouche put on a hell of a fight regardless of which woman wins.
More than anything, I’m just babbling from excitement, because this should be an exceptional event with a strong fight card, and it’s even more exciting to know that in the wake of Jon Fitch being cut from the UFC, Uriah Faber could be next if he loses. That’s some pretty serious motivation right there.
As always, join us tomorrow night for the preliminary fights at 8 PM ET on FX, followed by UFC 157 at 10 PM ET on PPV, for our live discussion, which has been called “The greatest UFC live discussion on the entire Internet” by at least one of my parents. And don’t forget to check out our own Lobster Mobster’s fight primer so you’re up to speed when the fights start.
