In a recent episode, Brendan Schaub advised Ronda Rousey to change her approach toward MMA media. Schaub emphasized that Rousey should stop believing negative narratives she reads online and suggested that MMA media does not harbor hatred toward her.
Schaub defended MMA media personalities against Rousey’s accusations, explaining that they do not have a negative view of her.
Schaub stated: “If any fighter, any person in the spotlight reads MMA articles like, it’s tough, it’s super dark and they do negative stuff to get clicks but that’s not the narrative on you in the public eye. If Ronda walks the streets, no one’s booing her. No one’s being mean to her. That’s not real, that’s in her head. I think also, she hasn’t talked to anybody in the MMA space. I guarantee you [Joe] Rogan would have her on. I guarantee you Luke Thomas would have her on, Ariel Helwani would have her on. The main dudes in the space would have her on. She’s not reaching out to them, she’s just, ‘Oh, they hate me.’ No.”
Schaub urged Rousey to confront criticism directly and move forward. He believes that Rousey’s current management and PR strategies are misguided. He advised Rousey to accept any criticism and continue progressing in her career.
He continued: “Ronda’s a sweet girl, sweet lady, she’s done so much for the game, I don’t know who she’s surrounded with, I’m not saying Travis [Browne], that’s different. Her management team, her PR team, she has the same manager as The Rock…Whoever’s directing her to take this narrative of playing victim, I’m getting booed if I showed up… all of that sh*t is not the way to go. She just needs to face it head-on. Take your lumps and move forward.”
Schaub pointed out that Rousey remains beloved by fans despite her online concerns. He suggested that if she engaged with fans in everyday situations, she would see their support.
“People love Ronda but again if she’s online or if one of her managers, someone on her team’s like, ‘Oh man your last interview, people were saying this and that,’ Again, that’s all for click. That’s not real… Go walk the streets, go get ice cream, let me know how many people are mean to you… none. They love her.”
To improve her relationship with MMA media, Schaub recommended that Rousey appear on shows hosted by supportive figures like Joe Rogan.
Schaub suggested: “She just needs to get on the right platform with the right people and talk to the MMA media. Nobody will take better care of her than Joe Rogan. He has no issues with her, zero and did we all forget Rogan was one of the main ones that hyped her up too?”
He continued: “No one’s booing her. That’s insane, but your f**king management, taking 10%, this ‘poor me’ story, no one’s feeling sorry for you. You’re one of the greatest to ever do it. Whoever is telling you different, fire ‘em. Show a little humility, say I f**ked up here.”
Amidst the controversy, Rousey continues to make headlines. She is currently working with Netflix on a new film about her life.
By addressing her concerns with the MMA media and reconnecting with her fan base, Rousey has the potential to reshape her narrative and continue building a positive legacy in and out of the octagon.
