Ronda Rousey vs Laila Ali: ‘Rowdy’ Will Destroy Muhammad Ali’s Daughter, Says Dana White
A showdown between Ultimate Fighting Championship women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and former boxing world champion Laila Ali is unlikely to happen, but UFC president Dana White said he is ready to make the fight happen if both fighters are serious.
Ali, who retired from boxing in 2007, continues being linked to Rousey after she confidently said earlier this month that no women is capable of beating her, including the UFC superstar.
When asked about the talks linking Rousey and Ali, White said that if Muhammad Ali's daughter is serious, she should just give him a call, and he will arrange the showdown.
"Laila if you're serious, call me," White told TMZ Sports. "If she wants it, she'll get it."
White said that Rousey will easily defeat Ali inside the Octagon, pointing out that there is no doubt "Rowdy" is the best woman fighter in the world at this point.
"Rousey is actually the best fighter in the world. Laila Ali would be in big trouble against Ronda Rousey," said White, who predicted that Rousey could duplicate her 14-second victory against Cat Zingano at UFC 184 if she faces Ali.
Rousey, who is scheduled to defend her title against Bethe Correia at UFC 190 on Aug. 1 in Brazil, also told TMZ Sports she is confident of beating Ali even in a boxing match.
"Honestly, I think I can beat them in boxing too, to be honest," Rousey said. "I am an Olympic athlete, and I would want time to focus on that entirely. If I can go from judo to MMA, why can't I go from MMA to boxing. I think having that kind of belief in yourself is really important to be in the kind of level I'm trying to be."
Rousey confidently added that she could be the best in anything, including boxing, if she puts time to learn the sport. She also clarified that she was not offended by Ali, saying that she understands Ali's mindset being an undefeated boxing world champion during her career.
For her part, Ali also clarified to SportsCenter that she did not mean to disrespect or ridicule Rousey and insisted that she is not planning to come out of retirement to face the UFC champion.
"I'm a confident person, always have been, so I don't see what the big deal is, what the controversy's all about," Ali said via SportingNews. "I have not said I want to fight her; she has not said she wants to fight me."
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