Rousey refuses to submit to personal questions
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has become the biggest star in the sport largely due to her propensity to take on all challengers to her belt head on with fearless aggression.
When it comes to questions about her personal life in recent days, she has taken a far more evasive approach.
Rousey apparently hung up on a media conference call Thursday promoting her Nov. 14 fight against Holly Holm in Melbourne, Australia, after a reporter asked whether she was upset with UFC heavyweight Travis Browne going public about their relationship just weeks before her fight.
It’s possible her line simply dropped, but the timing would be extremely coincidental and she never rejoined the call.
Browne revealed during a radio interview in October that he was in a relationship with Rousey. It was particularly controversial because Browne had just been reinstated from an indefinite suspension as the UFC investigated claims of domestic abuse made by his estranged wife.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Rousey confirmed Browne’s revelation with a brief statement to ESPN at the time.
“I don’t talk about my personal life much. That’s why it’s called ‘personal life,'” Rousey said. “It’s true that Travis and I are in a relationship. I’ve really enjoyed the time we have spent together and getting to know one another. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
During a media session with reporters at her gym outside Los Angeles last week, Rousey declined to address another personal issue that arose in the last few weeks.
Her mother, Dr. AnnMaria DeMars, publicly chastised Rousey’s coach Edmond Tarverdyan for being a “terrible coach” and “bad person.”
“Any reaction and response I have for my mother, she’s going to hear from me and not a media outlet,” Rousey said. “I really don’t think that’s anybody’s business.”
Business is still good inside the cage for Rousey. UFC 193, which will be held outdoors at Etihad Stadium, is expected to set the organization’s all-time attendance record.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.
