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A few years ago, I conducted an interview with Dana White. Of all the talking points in that 45 minute interview, the one that stuck out most was his stance on women in the UFC. He was adamant that it would be at least 10 years before it would happen, if it ever did. Fast forward three years to 2012, or the year of Ronda Rousey, as I like to call it. Not only did she open the eyes of fans and media alike, she managed to get the UFC's attention, and by the year's end, she became the first woman signed to a UFC contract.
Her story is enthralling, marked by tragedy that gave life to triumph. She's without a doubt, one of the most outspoken athletes in this or any other sport, and will almost assuredly see success beyond the UFC octagon when she chooses to hang up her gloves. That's not a statement made from blind adulation, it's a foregone conclusion, drawn from the massive attention she garners from every possible media and social outlet and from the sheer determination and dedication with which she applies herself to her goals. In short, this girl is a winner.
On Tuesday, February 19, we'll see a rarity in HBO sports programming. Ronda will be featured on HBO Inside Real Sports in a segment called, Ronda Rousey: The Ultimate Female Fighter. Here's a quick clip to start the countdown to the 19th:
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