Ronda Rousey: I want to be a part of history by fighting at Madison Square Garden
Former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was on hand in New York when professional MMA regulation was finally signed into law Thursday. She is already looking forward to fighting in the Empire State and, specifically, in Manhattan's Madison Square Garden. "I would love to have the opportunity to fight here because this is another time I feel like I earned the right to fight here because I fought for it," she told Thomas Gerbasi.
The UFC has announced plans to hold an event at MSG this November, so Rousey may have a chance at getting her wish granted, sooner than later. New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo started campaigning for Rousey to make her New York City debut, straight away.
"I'm very excited about the November match here at The Garden," he said.
"I'm not a promoter, but boy, if Ronda Rousey fought here in November, that would be a hell of an event. I would call in to reserve my seat right now."
Rousey lobbied personally for professional UFC to be sanctioned in New York multiple times in recent years. As the first female UFC champion in history, the two-time Olympian is used to having to fight hard for acceptance.
That's what this battle represented to the pioneering athlete. "Fighting for acceptance is always important to me, regardless of the venue and where it is," she explained.
Now, Rousey wants to be a part of history once again by fighting at MSG. The West Coaster isn't used to being tied to old, memorable places, and is excited to become a part of New York's rich fighting history.
"It's important because of the history," she reasoned.
"I want a tie to a historical place like this and I want to be remembered in a positive way. I'm from Los Angeles, where if something is 50 years old, they tear it down and build a new one. It's not for my own vanity. It's for a place in history. I don't have a single picture of myself fighting in my house. I don't have my belts, they're hidden. I don't like putting stuff out there, but I like fighting for a place in history."
