White: Rousey still the biggest UFC star ever
Conor McGregor is shattering PPV records, Brock Lesnar returned at UFC 200, and Georges St-Pierre could be making a comeback of his own, but Dana White says they all take a backseat to Ronda Rousey when it comes to star power.
In a recent interview with Hot 97 in New York, the UFC president assured listeners that the former women's bantamweight champion's place in the history books is secure, even though she hasn't fought since losing her title to Holly Holm last December.
"By far," White said, according to Damon Martin of FOX Sports. "Not even close, by far the biggest star ever."
A year ago, such a claim would have passed without question, but it should raise eyebrows now given McGregor's ascension in 2016. "The Notorious" headlined two of the most successful PPVs in company history at UFC 196 and UFC 202, and he's expected to do himself one better when he challenges lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 on Nov. 12.
As for Rousey, she's rumored to return to competition in December. Prior to the Holm loss, Rousey became a rare crossover star who parleyed her MMA achievements into a budding Hollywood career. In her absence, the gap between her and the UFC's other stars has definitely narrowed, if not closed entirely.