UFC Freedom 250 will take over the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday with a seven-fight lineup that does not feature a single women’s bout.
The all-male card has drawn attention, with former UFC champion and MMA legend Cris Cyborg and retired UFC star Miesha Tate sharing their views with USA TODAY Sports about the absence of women’s fights.
“The UFC is one of the best at raising the platform for women’s competition,” Cyborg said, adding, “The UFC pays women champions more than highest paid WNBA players and has constantly pushed for an equal opportunity for both men and women to compete.” She continued, “The White House card doesn’t have one 'undercard' on the event. Every fight Sunday could main event another UFC event. It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t feature a big women’s fight.”
UFC president Dana White said he tried to arrange a fight between Mackenzie Dern and Zhang Weili for the event but was told Weili was unavailable.
Tate, a former rival of Ronda Rousey, offered a different read on the situation. “I figure he did,” she said of White’s efforts to book a women’s bout, adding, “I don't see it as a slight toward women, just circumstantial.”
Ronda Rousey is described as one of the UFC’s most recognizable fighters who helped pave the way for other female MMA stars, while Cyborg and Tate remain among the most prominent names associated with the rise of women’s MMA within the UFC.
