Ronda Rousey has once again proven that she is one of this generation's most highly sought after athletes as she takes home the "Fighter of the Year" Award on this year's ESPYs ceremony. In addition to this recognition, the UFC Bantamweight Champion also bagged the "Best Female Athlete" award, according to Hollywood Life.
While the athlete celebrated her victory, Rousey could not help but take a jab at Floyd Mayweather, Jr. whom she has had verbal exchanges via various media outlets in the past. "I wonder how Floyd feels being beaten by a woman for once," she said in an interview following the awarding. She then added, ""I'd like to see you pretend to not know who I am now," referring to the response of Mayweather in an interview which alluded to the boxer's supposed lack of knowledge on the identity of Rousey in February 2014, according to News Australia. In fact, Mayweather even thought Rousey is a man and kept using "he" when talking about the UFC champion.
As Rousey taunts and openly expresses her dislike for Mayweather, it appears that the "Fighter of the Year" awardee is forging a friendship with yet another boxing legend - Mike Tyson. According to ESPN, Iron Mike visited Rousey at Glendale Fighting Club to watch her train. Upon witnessing the intensity of the UFC champ's skill in the ring, Tyson could not help but sing her praises.
"Ronda, she's a lady. Polite, kind, sweet and adorable," the former heavyweight champion shared. He then added, "But her whole barometer is, she's a killer. She has that killer aura, meaning anything is capable of happening. Whoa! That's exciting before the fight even starts. I think of myself when I watch her." For her part, Rousey said that the experience of meeting Tyson was "very humbling." She shared, "I was just honored that he would go through the trouble or go out of his way to watch me train."
Both Tyson and Rousey have been commended for their impressive performances in their respective sports, and the same sentiment is echoed by the UFC president, Dana White, himself. He said, "These are two of the greatest to ever walk the planet in their sports." White added, "Not many people in the world can relate to that."
Rousey is set to face the Brazilian fighter, Bethe Correia, at UFC 90 on Aug 1, 2015.
