UFC superstar Ronda Rousey praises Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne ahead of UFC 193Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest names in the world of sport right now, but she says she was honoured to meet one of Australia's brightest new stars.
In Melbourne for her UFC bantamweight title fight with Holly Holm at Docklands Stadium on Sunday, Rousey hailed Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne and said she was disappointed to have missed Payne's historic ride on Prince Of Penzance.
"She's been amazing. She really set the tone. Right when we landed she went and made history for women in Melbourne," Rousey said.
"It was such a pleasure and a honour to meet her today and she said she's coming to the fight so I'm really, really excited ... next time I'll have to come and watch her."
Rousey made the comments in Melbourne's Federation Square on Thursday where a huge crowd turned out to watch a public training session.
"I really hope I deserve this. I'm trying my best to deserve it. I really, really am, but sometimes you just get wrapped up in how amazing all of this is," she said.
"You get so focused on the fight and it causes so much fear and anxiety and stress in you and you kind of lose sight of how amazing it is. This fight has really been an opportunity to see that."
"That's why I have these moments when I look out and everyone's cheering my name and I'm like 'Who are you people and why do you like me?'," she added.
"It's overwhelming sometimes but I'm trying my best to appreciate it and I'm going to show my appreciation for them by winning in the most fantastic way possible and making them so happy they were there to see it."
The 28-year-old, who is a perfect 12-0 in mixed martial arts (6-0 in the UFC), has spent a combined 130 seconds inside the octagon in her past four fights and is preparing for the seventh defence of her title. Only once in her career has she been taken past the first round.
On Sunday she will meet former boxing champion Holm, who also boasts an unbeaten record: 9-0 in MMA and 2-0 in UFC.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-12/ufc-superstar-ronda-rousey-praises-michelle-payne-melbourne-cup/6936906