The debate over whether women’s MMA needs to be fighting plus eye candy to be successful is one that has been simmering for a while. Now two of the best, most popular female fighters in the world, get their own promo for an upcoming Strikeforce-Showtime event, and there definitely is a “sex sells” theme to it.
It’s true that MMA’s biggest demographic is probably still male, but it can’t be denied that there is a growing female fan base, which is great. So it begs the question, is it necessary to highlight female fighters’ beauty, when it’s not a bikini contest that is being contested in the cage? Do some female fighters feel pressure to look good outside the cage, and do those who maybe aren’t blessed with good looks feel they are passed over for title shots? How about this question: If good-looking female fighters get more eyes — and ultimately fans — on the sport, is that really all that matters?
I’ll be honest — I don’t mind looking at Miesha and Ronda — they’re both easy on the eyes, but at the same time, I admire their skills, same as I would a female fighter who maybe is not considered good-looking. At the end of the day, their looks won’t win them the fight.
Women’s MMA has come a long way, but it has a long way to go to catch up to the rest of the sport. We’ll see if these promos continue, and if they hurt or help women’s MMA and the sport on the whole.
