Discussion: Is Ronda Rousey the next big thing in MMA?

The next MMA pay-per-view, UFC 157, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche, takes place this Saturday at the Honda Center. Times MMA writer Lance Pugmire discussed the card in a live video discussion of the event. You can watch a replay of the discussion above.

Pugmire, who is covering the event for The Times, wrote this about Rousey in December:

“Rousey told of growing up in Santa Monica “as more of a fighter, a tomboy. I cut my hair short, people called me ‘Ronnie.”

“She said a bartending job forced her to first wear makeup.

“The lighting was dim, so I could mess up,” Rousey said of her makeup work. “Being girly now, it’s working.”

“She dropped out of high school as a sophomore, pursuing judo and standing as a bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.

“Wednesday, she aimed criticism at the Olympic movement and at U.S. judo for depriving athletes of financial support.

“I have a bad-girl thing going on,” Rousey said. “I can screw up and it’s no big thing. I can get caught at a brothel with a bottle of Jack.”

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Live discussion: Ronda Rousey talks UFC 157, takes fan questions