UFC Embedded: Ronda Rousey's love/hate relationship with her opponents
As UFC 193 fast approaches, the main and co-main event fighters have made their way to Australia as weight cutting begins along with final preparations for Saturday's card.
In the latest episode of "UFC Embedded", Holly Holm works through a private training session with her coaches and the champion, Ronda Rousey begins her cardio routine to start shedding the final few pounds before stepping onto the scale on Friday.
Rousey also contemplates her love/hate relationship with fighting and the opponents who are trying to take the title away from her. In one way, Rousey knows she needs challenges like Holly Holm, but at the same time she despises the former boxing champion for even trying to take away her title in the first place.
"There's a lot of mixed emotions that go into fighting. I need that other person in there, I can't fight by myself, I need them to be there. I appreciate they're there but this person is trying to piggyback off of all the work I've done my whole life," Rousey said.
"They're trying to steal that from me and in that sense I'm offended by their presence. I hate them for trying to hurt me. They're trying to take away something I care so much about."
Conversely, Rousey says after the fight is over no matter who she's facing, there's a real sense of elation for going through what she just did and the celebration that follows.
"After I beat them, the joy they've given me, I love them for it," Rousey said. "By the time I walk out of that arena and I have the belt around my waist, I'm thanking God for that person coming into my life."
Also in this episode, strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and her team enjoy some of the Melbourne street art before getting in a training session.
Her opponent Valerie Letourneau takes the night off to enjoy some Muay Thai fights alongside UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt, who takes on Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva on Saturday night.
