According to the Metro PCS ad running on MMA Junkie before an interview with Fedor, Ronda Rousey lives her life without limits. Fast, nationwide, she can do everything she wants. Just like that amazing cell phone plan she is peddling. But according to Fedor’s interpreter in the #WHOATV interview that follows, no matter how interesting her fights might be, she is misguided. Or at the least, if her life really doesn’t have limits, she is doing it wrong.
“Women shouldn’t compete in UFC/MMA because this sport is for men,” Fedor’s interpreter relayed. “There are a lot of sports where women look like women – like gymnastics, water sports, maybe some athletics.”
Fedor’s explanation is unfortunate. Because it doesn’t even politely ground itself in a misguided, but seemingly gentlemanly, concern for female safety. Rather, he thinks women look more womanly doing things that involve bathing suits and (maybe) a pair of running shorts.
Or course, it all depends upon your definition of “woman.” If a woman, by definition, should strive to be a strong individual, unafraid to condition her body for fierce competition, then Fedor has it wrong. Because women like Rousey are excelling at just the sort of activity that expresses a positive aspect of their sexual identity. That is one reason Rousey has so many female fans. They want to be like her because she is THE alpha woman, not some gender-confused renegade flunking life’s classes on feminine etiquette.
But this is Fedor talking. And if he had his way, Mother Russia would be playing beach volleyball. No spiking allowed.
