Ronda Rousey gets her way ahead of UFC 207

WHAT Ronda Rousey wants, Ronda Rousey gets. That much was made abundantly clear in the lead-up to UFC 207.

We won’t hear a peep out of Rousey.

RONDA Rousey will return at UFC 207 but the only statement she’s going to make during fight week will be in the Octagon against Amanda Nunes.

The UFC released the schedule for fight week upcoming in Las Vegas but Rousey and women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes were both absent from any of the appearances ahead of the event on Saturday (AEDT).

In fact, UFC 207 will not feature any open workouts or a press conference, which are standard fare for the biggest events for the promotion.

Instead, there will be a media day closed to the public on Wednesday where the other main card fighters competing at UFC 207 will appear including bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and his opponent Cody Garbrandt. Neither Rousey or Nunes are scheduled to appear at the media day on Wednesday.

The only time Rousey will be seen by the public ahead of the fight is at the official weigh-ins on Friday.

The fact Rousey has been given such a wide berth in this instance is in stark contrast to Conor McGregor’s treatment heading in to UFC 200 in July. His rematch with Nate Diaz was supposed to headline the event but the Irishman pulled out after declaring he was “retiring” from the sport because he and the UFC clashed over his media responsibilities.

McGregor wasn’t keen on heading to the US to take part in all the pre-fight interviews and press conferences the UFC wanted, preferring instead to stay in Europe and train.

Rousey’s snub has baffled fans.

The concessions being made for Rousey are absurd

— Sean Ross Sapp (@SeanRossSapp) December 24, 2016

Even if it was negotiated ahead of time, this is a stunning concession. McGregor couldn't miss 1 of 2 pressers, but Rousey can skip it all.

— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) December 24, 2016

You best believe Conor McGregor and others are watching the concessions being given to Ronda Rousey by the UFC right now.

— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) December 24, 2016

Honestly thought they’d get Rousey to at least fire off a few judo throws and answer some questions from Megan Olivi. Surprised it’s nothing

— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) December 24, 2016

Ronda Rousey demanding not to do any media is like a child throwing their toys out of the pram. #UFC207

— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_DStar) December 24, 2016

Even if Ronda Rousey isn't doing media rounds this week, Amanda Nunes should. She needs it. Completely ignored in all #UFC207 promo

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) December 24, 2016

@bokamotoESPN It feels like they're just bending to every wish from Rousey in hopes she'll stick around longer

— Mark Ortega (@MarkEOrtega) December 24, 2016

Rousey has been largely absent from the spotlight since suffering a second round knockout loss to Holly Holm last November.

Rousey has made appearances on a couple of talk shows in recent weeks including interviews with Ellen DeGeneres and Conan O’Brien, but otherwise hasn’t spoken to any dedicated sports media at all.

Nunes criticised Rousey for not participating in any pre-fight media, which is typically required for any fighters appearing on a UFC card.

“This is MMA, people are going to talk good about you, people are going to talk bad about you. You have to be ready for it,” Nunes said when speaking to FOX Sports this week.

“You guys (the media), you’re part of our lives, part of our careers. We have to talk and speak to the media because this is part of our job. She’s being so dramatic and weird about that. She knows this is normal.”

This will be the first time in recent history where neither main event fighter will participate in any pre-fight events outside of weigh-ins.

It appears Rousey will remain largely a ghost during fight week until she finally steps back into the Octagon as she attempts to win back the women’s bantamweight title that she defended six times before falling to Holm last year.

Originally published as Ronda Rousey gets her way ahead of UFC 207