#WildCardRonda2016
Ronda has stated her desire to participate in the 2016 Rio Games if given the Wild Card spot on the USA Judo Team. She has proven to be a top Judoka, and is the highest profile American Judoka ever. USA Judo does not have a representative for the 70 KG Women's division. Nor is anyone seriously competing for the spot. She is still in her prime and can help everyone involved.
Ronda has stated her desire to participate in the 2016 Rio Games if given the Wild Card spot on the USA Judo Team. She has proven to be a top Judoka, and is the highest profile American Judoka ever. USA Judo does not have a representative for the 70 KG Women's division. Nor is anyone seriously competing for the spot. She is still in her prime and can help everyone involved.
From USA Judo's perspective. She would be the highest profile athlete throughout the entire games. Making her competition day the most viewed of all sports. And will probably break the TV rating records. Judo in the US would be under the spotlight, and Judo overall would grow. Which is the whole point of the USA Judo itself. And the TV coverage would pay more than ever before. She is the best economical choice by far of any sport to earn a Wild Card spot.
From Jimmy Pedro's perspective. She is a world class talent, and it would give him the chance to finish what he started with her. To get Gold. They left on bad terms, so let them patch things up. And he would have an ally for Judoka wanting to transition to MMA. A note to Sensei Pedro, since you have Kayla, you already have the best benchmark to test Ronda against to see where she is at. And you would give Kayla and Marti the best sparring partner in the world to train with on a daily basis. You know she is still good enough for the Olympics. Ronda would raise the bar on mental toughness. Having her around if you patch things up with the team would only serve everyone in all of Judo. I think Kano would be willing to forgive if he was in your place. She is a good player and she said she wants to do it.
From the UFC's perspective. She would be the first ever MMA to Olympic athlete in history. As of now. MMA is perceived as the sport for washed up athletes. Former boxers, former Judoka, former wrestlers, etc go to MMA. Not the other way around. This would bring MMA's prestige to a higher level forever. And thus bringing in the cash revenues to the UFC in the long term. In addition, having her at the Olympics gives her MMA rivals a chance to take an interim title, thus rebuilding the division she has destroyed. Her return to MMA would generate larger revenues due to her increased superstar level exposure at the Olympics even if she doesn’t medal. But if she does, she would break the PPV records. And finally Judo is a grappling sport, thus her MMA shelf life would be longer since she won’t take damages from strikes. This is a win-win for the UFC.
From Ronda's perspective. She has stated she would go for Gold at 2016 if given the Wild Card spot. Practically no one in Judo thinks she could take Gold at the Olympics. And she likes proving people wrong. She turned her back on years of grooming to become Judo champion so she could try out MMA. This is her chance at Gold. She cleaned her division in MMA. So instead of being just another actress, let's see her do what she was groomed for her whole life. Kick ass. Her acting roles aren't challenging, Judo is.
From the Fans' perspective. Everyone wants to see her challenged. For her to be both Judo and MMA champion simultaneously would be a truly historical achievement. Perhaps the greatest ever in all combat sports. Let's see her in the toughest tournament in the world at her native combat style. Her competition day would be the highest viewed rating in the history of the Olympics. More than any swimmer or runner. Money talks, her Judo skills talk, so let’s do it.
