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Since winning the Strikeforce female championship, Ronda Rousey has been cast in the spotlight. From magazine covers to television interviews to headlining a pay-per-view in the UFC, Rousey has become familiar her position.

Her next opponent, however, hasn’t been in the bright lights that the UFC provides, and Rousey is unsure how Cat Zingano will react to all that.

“If you’re always under the bright lights, your eyes don’t have to adjust when they come on,” said Rousey on Middle Easy TV. “I’m used to it and she’s going to have to adjust to the bright lights right away as I’m now used to them always being on.”

The two will be coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter before facing off, likely in December of this year, for the UFC female bantamweight title.

Zingano made her Octagon debut by besting Miesha Tate, while Rousey successfully defended her title with a submission win over Liz Carmouche.

The former Olympian has a point, as the light cast on TUF is a different one – especially considering these two will be the first female coaches leading the first female fighters in the shows history.

Ronda Rousey is hot. There is no denying that, unless of course you don’t think she is.

Well, if you are in the minority of believing she isn’t attractive, her inclusion in the “Maxim Hot 100″ could change your mind.

Rousey was placed 29th on the list, adding to her recent spot in the Business Insider women changing the world edition.

Now, for your enjoyment, here is Rousey’s Maxim.com picture:

UFC female bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s name just can’t get out of the headlines.

Rousey, who will be part of the next season of The Ultimate Fighter as a coach, has been selected to Business Insider’s “50 Women Who Are Changing The World” list.

The site selected the topless photo of Rousey from her appearance in ESPN’s The Body Issue earlier this year. The former Olympian was also recently tabbed for one of several covers of ESPN The Magazine’s anniversary edition.
Rousey was pegged at No. 42 on the list, putting her ahead of China’s first lady and Britain’s first female prime minister.

Ronda Rousey is coaching against Cat Zingano on The Ultimate Fighter 18. Since Rousey will be coaching 135ers which is her own weight class, it adds a new facet to an ailing and ultimately boring TV show.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sara McMann made her Octagon debut this past weekend, finishing Sheila Gaff in the first round.

McMann, a former Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, is currently unbeaten in seven professional MMA fights.

While some are already touting a McMann-Ronda Rousey fight for the UFC title, the would-be-challenger isn’t too concerned with that.

“If I could fight in two-to-three months, that would be golden,” she said, during an interview with MMAFighting.com. “(The UFC has) things they’re doing and they’re on their track. I’d like to stay active.”

Those “plans” involve Rousey and Cat Zingano competing as coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter before squaring off.

McMann continued, stating, “Every time I step in (the cage) I’m growing and improving and getting more comfortable. If I fight (Rousey) in four fights or I fight her in one fight, just to get to the title, it doesn’t matter.”

A McMann-Rousey bout would be an easy sell, as both are former Olympians and would likely have perfect records on the line.

Kim Winslow, love her or hate her, as been assigned as a referee for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.

It is always satisfying to reach a goal you set for yourself. I have wanted to ref for The Ultimate Fighter during the season. I have worked Tuf finales since 2009 but never during the series. I of course will not be discussing anything that occurs but I have been asked to work and am honored to do so. This season is going to be extraordinary already and getting to be part of that is extremely exciting, humbling, crazy, okay just flat out awesome!!!

Winslow confirmed the news on Facebook recently. The season will include female coaches – Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano – and female fighters.

It is scheduled to air in September on FOX Sports 1.

This coming Friday, UFC female bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will grace the cover of “ESPN The Magazine,” as they celebrate 15 years in existence.

Rousey is featured on one of several covers along with several other elite professional athletes.

Below is the cover, which will be available for purchase this week:

UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is still dealing with problems, but her new ones since skyrocketing to fame are better.

Rousey will appear as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter later this year opposite Cat Zingano. The two are set to meet after the show finishes airing.

Rousey, during a media session earlier this week, talked about her current state of mind. Thanks to Rebellion Media for the quotes.

“It’s fun,” said Rousey, of her success. “It’s better than graveyard shifts at 24-Hour Fitness, having to deal with crazy people. I’m not falling asleep in traffic anymore, I just have different problems. But I prefer my new ones.”

When pressed for what those problems currently are, the former Olympian mentioned not getting enough sleep and time-management, adding, “conservation of my energy is my biggest problem right now.”

Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

UFC female bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has agreed to a one-year endorsement deal with XYIENCE, an energy drink.

The company announced the deal recently, which will include several appearances by Rousey.

“The XYIENCE brand has been a huge part of MMA culture for so many years, so it is really exciting for me to be a part of the team,” Rousey said. “I feel it is important to be aligned with people and brands who believe in what I am trying to achieve. Because of its long history in the sport, XYIENCE understands the significance of this moment in time for women in MMA. I’m honored to be a part of the XYIENCE brand.”

Rousey will be competing on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Cat Zingano. The two are expected to fight to close out 2012.

Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

When Ronda Rousey entered the MMA , she was one of the first Olympic caliber athletes to join women’s mixed martial arts. On April 27, 2013, former Olympian Sara McMann will make her UFC debut against Sheila Gaff at UFC 159. One of the main problems with finding challengers for Ronda Rousey has been that women’s MMA simply doesn’t have any other high-level athletes to compete with the strength, speed, and technique of Rousey. Miesha Tate is a good athlete, but the Olympics are a completely different animal. This is the main reason why Rousey has been so effective even though she is relatively new to the sport.

On the other hand, Sara McMann won a silver medal in wrestling at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. McMann has displayed that elite level athleticism that is going to be needed to unseat Rousey from her throne at the top of women’s mixed martial arts. McMann will provide a unique matchup to Rousey’s judo skills. If McMann can defeat Gaff and continue moving up the ladder at bantamweight, she’s going to find herself in a title shot very soon.

It seems strange that the person to challenge Rousey has only been competing in mixed martial arts for three years; however, because women’s MMA is so young, elite athletes like Rousey and McMann are going to be able to dominate much of their competition with limited skills. Objectively, Rousey’s skills themselves are rather limited. Her striking is still a big work in progress but it doesn’t matter because he judo and submission skills are so good.

Against McMann, she would finally face someone who would be a legitimate threat to take her down. McMann has the technique and quickness to shoot double legs on Rousey. Futhermore, if the two find themselves against the cage, McMann’s wrestling abilities will prove a unique challenge to Rousey. For the first time Rousey may have to fight someone who she can’t take down at will. It would be in McMann’s best interest to keep the bout standing and she may just have the skills to do it. If she can remain on her feet, she can pepper Rousey with jabs and kicks. Rousey has never had to utilize her striking in an extended fight so it seems likely that McMann can take her into the deeper waters as long as she can remain standing.

McMann poses a unique athletic challenge to Rousey that no other bantamweights can offer right now. Honestly, she may be the only woman in the UFC right now who is even a small threat to Rousey. Once McMann gets past Gaff on Saturday, she will likely be propelled into a title shot. If that fight were to happen, Rousey would finally have her hands full with a contender who is just as good of an athlete as she is.