Dana White explains why Ronda Rousey was given pass on media obligations

Leading up to UFC 207, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has been the focus of the promotions efforts to promote the fight, using Rousey as the focus of their TV ads. With that being said, Rousey has been given an exemption from her usual media obligations leading up to the fight, and has not spoken to the media or been a regular part of the UFC Embedded series leading up to the fight.

Because of that, many have criticized not only Rousey for skipping out on her media duties, but also the UFC for the fact that UFC superstar Conor McGregor was pulled from his scheduled UFC 200 fight with Nate Diaz because he refused to attend a press conference.

During a recent media scrum leading up to the fight, UFC President Dana White explained why Rouesy was given an exemption. In addition, he cautioned other fighters on trying to skip media obligations leading up to their fights:

“Ronda Rousey has done a lot,” White said during a recent UFC 207 media scrum. “She’s done more media than anyone in the history of the company — major media, media that no one else could get. She did it all and this is something she asked for. It doesn’t open flood gates and it doesn’t change anything. If someone doesn’t want to show up for a press conference, I will pull them from the card again.”

While many expect Conor McGregor to be unhappy with the UFC giving Rousey an exemption from media events, White points out the irony in the potential situation:

“Wouldn’t that be something, if Conor was complaining about the treatment of another fighter.”

Despite her media blackout, and rumors, Rousey will attend the UFC ceremonial weigh-ins Thursday evening in Las Vegas.

Tune in then to see if the former champ will address the crowd before the fight!