UFC champ Ronda Rousey

By Joshua Molina

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer is reporting that UFC 157 drew more than 400,000 Pay Per View buys.  The number shows that, after a flat 2012, the UFC is not dead and, in fact, is experiencing a rebirth, led by the pop culture sensation Ronda Rousey.

Rousey’s Pay Per View numbers will only get bigger when she fights somebody with a big-stage personality.  Liz Carmouche, while impressive inside the cage, was a dud outside of it.

If the UFC could lure Gina Carano back to MMA for one big fight, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the girl fight could approach one million buys.  I hope the Silicon Valley investors who gave up on Strikeforce and sold the company to the UFC are watching.  Ronda Rousey, the biggest star in the UFC and the sport, was a Strikeforce fighter.  They literally let gold slip through their hands thanks to a lack of vision.

Meltzer, who in the spirit of the old dirtsheet wrestling writers, rarely attributes his ultra down-low sources, is also reporting that Rousey was offered a role in “The Hunger Games.”  It’s a lot easier to make a lot of money in Hollywood than in the UFC, so expect Rousey to jump on any movie offers.

If she plays her cards right, and there’s no reason to think she won’t, she could become the first big female action star, somewhat of a modern Wonder Woman, who also fights once or twice a year.

Rousey’s on the verge of becoming the Michael Jordan if MMA.  I hope the Silicon Valley investors who gave up on Strikeforce are watching.