7 ms·

I would not be so sure or call it a fantasy. Ronda's grappling is at another level. Watch footage of her sparring with BJ Penn (the extended version). It is wit

I would not be so sure or call it a fantasy. Ronda's grappling is at another level. Watch footage of her sparring with BJ Penn (the extended version). It is with the Gi and obviously not an actual MMA fight, but gives you an idea of what that looks like if she could take it to the ground early.

Retozi 11y ago
It is a fantasy. Regarding the sparring between BJ Penn and her, it somewhat confirmed that he held back. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8TBlo3yPUM#t=51m11s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8TBlo3yPUM#t=51m11s There are various other videos of her rolling with other men (albeit bigger ones) like Mousasi and Luke Rockhold, and it is anything but competitive. I think the situation is pretty comparable to Serena Williams, who would win against most "regular" men, but not be able to provide a competitive match against roger federer.
- IkmoIkmo 11y ago
  > I think the situation is pretty comparable to Serena Williams, who would win against most "regular" men, but not be able to provide a competitive match against roger federer. Well what is regular? A regular professional would completely dominate her. Here's an anecdote of the only time she tried against a man. > During the 1998 Australian Open, sisters Serena and Venus Williams boasted that they could beat any man ranked outside the world's top 200. The challenge was accepted by Karsten Braasch, a German player ranked No 203 (his highest ranking was No 38). Before the matches, Braasch played a round of golf in the morning, drank a couple of beers, smoked a few cigarettes, and then played the Williams sisters for a set each, one after the other. He defeated Serena, 6-1, and Venus, 6-2. Serena said afterwards "I didn't know it would be that hard. I hit shots that would have been winners on the women's tour and he got to them easily." We're talking about two women here who ended up nr 1 players in the world (in fact Serena is the nr 1 right now, today), and were already top 10 players at that time. Of course if you mean by 'regular' to be just anyone, like me... then sure, but if you pick the average person from the street they'd lose to a 12 year old talent, let alone someone like Williams. As for Ronda, it's pretty well known men hold back when they spar her in all these videos for sure. She could absolutely trash us, but a professional male fighter wouldn't have a hard time at all, and he doesn't have to be world class. It's just the way it is and there's no shame in that. Just like there's no shame in a 10 year old losing to an adult, or a fully able-bodied beating a physically handicapped person, or a 15 year old beating the old and frail Mohammed Ali he is today, so what, there's a grand biological/physical difference there that has no basis in merit or talent or will and that is unsurmountable, nothing to be proud over for the winner and nothing to be ashamed over for the loser.
adventured 11y ago
I'm not making an argument that she isn't an extraordinarily talented fighter. That she beats the best male fighter in a ~135 pound weight class, is a fantasy however. She won't face Cyborg due to a difference of ten pounds. That tells you everything you need to know. A top-ranked male fighter in her weight class is going to have an even greater physical advantage than what those 10 pounds give Cyborg.
- ridruejo 11y ago
  How we went from arguing about "Top male fighters are wary of facing her." to "Beating the best male fighter at ~135" I don't know. I am not arguing that she would, just that it is not a fantasy. If she can clinch and take it to the ground early in the round, she can definitely submit top guys. The Cyborg thing: Ronda is the champion, Cyborg should come down to her weight, not the other way around.
  - petegrif 11y ago
    The idea that she can 'definitely submit top guys' is a total fantasy.

Retozi 11y ago

It is a fantasy. Regarding the sparring between BJ Penn and her, it somewhat confirmed that he held back. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8TBlo3yPUM#t=51m11s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8TBlo3yPUM#t=51m11s There are various other videos of her rolling with other men (albeit bigger ones) like Mousasi and Luke Rockhold, and it is anything but competitive. I think the situation is pretty comparable to Serena Williams, who would win against most "regular" men, but not be able to provide a competitive match against roger federer.

IkmoIkmo 11y ago
> I think the situation is pretty comparable to Serena Williams, who would win against most "regular" men, but not be able to provide a competitive match against roger federer. Well what is regular? A regular professional would completely dominate her. Here's an anecdote of the only time she tried against a man. > During the 1998 Australian Open, sisters Serena and Venus Williams boasted that they could beat any man ranked outside the world's top 200. The challenge was accepted by Karsten Braasch, a German player ranked No 203 (his highest ranking was No 38). Before the matches, Braasch played a round of golf in the morning, drank a couple of beers, smoked a few cigarettes, and then played the Williams sisters for a set each, one after the other. He defeated Serena, 6-1, and Venus, 6-2. Serena said afterwards "I didn't know it would be that hard. I hit shots that would have been winners on the women's tour and he got to them easily." We're talking about two women here who ended up nr 1 players in the world (in fact Serena is the nr 1 right now, today), and were already top 10 players at that time. Of course if you mean by 'regular' to be just anyone, like me... then sure, but if you pick the average person from the street they'd lose to a 12 year old talent, let alone someone like Williams. As for Ronda, it's pretty well known men hold back when they spar her in all these videos for sure. She could absolutely trash us, but a professional male fighter wouldn't have a hard time at all, and he doesn't have to be world class. It's just the way it is and there's no shame in that. Just like there's no shame in a 10 year old losing to an adult, or a fully able-bodied beating a physically handicapped person, or a 15 year old beating the old and frail Mohammed Ali he is today, so what, there's a grand biological/physical difference there that has no basis in merit or talent or will and that is unsurmountable, nothing to be proud over for the winner and nothing to be ashamed over for the loser.

adventured 11y ago

I'm not making an argument that she isn't an extraordinarily talented fighter. That she beats the best male fighter in a ~135 pound weight class, is a fantasy however. She won't face Cyborg due to a difference of ten pounds. That tells you everything you need to know. A top-ranked male fighter in her weight class is going to have an even greater physical advantage than what those 10 pounds give Cyborg.

ridruejo 11y ago
How we went from arguing about "Top male fighters are wary of facing her." to "Beating the best male fighter at ~135" I don't know. I am not arguing that she would, just that it is not a fantasy. If she can clinch and take it to the ground early in the round, she can definitely submit top guys. The Cyborg thing: Ronda is the champion, Cyborg should come down to her weight, not the other way around.
- petegrif 11y ago
  The idea that she can 'definitely submit top guys' is a total fantasy.