UFC president Dana White: If Laila Ali wants Ronda Rousey fight, all she has to do is call me
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Laila Ali caused quite a kerfuffle when she adamantly declared that no woman -- not even "too small" Ronda Rousey -- would able to beat her in a fight.
That prompted the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight champion -- much to the chagrin of Cris Cyborg -- to leave the door open if she ever wants to scrap and back up her words.
And now, UFC President Dana White is getting in on the action, as he tells TMZ Sports(via USA Today) that if Ali wants it, all she has to do is give him a call and he'll make the fight a reality.
"I love it. She (Rousey) is actually the best fighter in the world, is what she is. Laila Ali would be in big trouble against Ronda Rousey. Laila, if your serious, call me," he stated, "If she wants it, she'll get it. Call me."
Somewhere out there, Cyborg is steaming mad.
So just how well does White think Ali -- who is undefeated as a boxer with a record of 24-0 -- would do against the "best fighter in the world?" Not too good, as he believes "Rowdy" will get done with Ali just as quickly as she did with Cat Zingano (video).
"No disrespect to Laila, but she'll be in the 14-second range," he said.
Not even the assistance of Randy Couture would help Ali's chances. Something Randy himself is aware of, according to Dana. "I think it wouldn't help at all. I think it will do no good. I think Randy knows that, too," he concluded.
Of course, the chatter is all for naught as Laila is retired and has no plans of returning to the ring or making her Octagon debut. For now, Rousey will shift all of her focus to her upcoming 135-pound title fight against Bethe Correia, as the two are scheduled to tango in the main event of UFC 190 on Aug. 1, 2015.
