In the eyes of the UFC President, Ronda Rousey is the biggest star in her sport.
OK, so that's sort of an obvious statement. But it's interesting coming from Dana White, who once insisted that women would never compete under the UFC banner.
Now, Rousey isn't just competing. She's dominating her sport and elevating both her personal brand and the UFC's visibility to unprecedented levels.
When compared to the top male UFC star, Conor McGregor, White isn't conflicted over who is the top fighter in the sport.
"It's Ronda Rousey, there's no doubt about it," White said, according to Fox Sports. "She's got books and she's got all these movies coming out and she continues to get bigger and bigger. Her pay-per-views and everything."
White's company doesn't make public the sales for its pay-per-view events, but it's widely believed that UFC 190, headlined by Rousey's fight against Bethe Correia, may end up being its best-selling event of the year.
Rousey's star has transcended mixed martial arts. She has become a popular role model to women and young girls, and her movie career is quickly taking off with several big roles, including the lead in a biopic of her own life.
UFC has had big names in the past, such as Brock Lesnar and Chuck Liddell. Both of those guys were popular within UFC circles and, more generally, the sports world.
But Rousey's is a name known to many people who have never watched a UFC fight.
So good call, Dana White. Rousey's the biggest there's ever been. It's a good thing the UFC president changed his tune and opened his league up to women.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey steals the spotlight when she puts the clamps on Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey connects with fans in Brazil.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey speaks on a sports panel at SXSW in Austin.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Mario Lopez welcomes Rousey to the set of 'Extra' at Universal Studios
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey waves to fans at Univesal CityWalk.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey appears at a promotional event with Reebok and UFC.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Hip hop artist Swizz Beatz poses with Rousey.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey draws a crowd in Hollywood.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends a special screening of "The Expendables 3" in Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger flank Rousey at The Venetian Macao.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
"The Expendables 3" is Rousey's first acting credit.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey shares a laugh with Joe Rogan after weighing in before UFC 175.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey joins the cast of "The Expendables 3" at the Cannes Film Festival.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey attends the Cannes premiere of "The Expendables 3" with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey works a scene on location in Beverly Hills with Jerry Ferrara for the "Entoutage" movie.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey takes time to pose with a fan at LAX airport.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey poses during a UFC portrait session in December 2013.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey has an exchange with Jimmy Kimmel.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey is featured in the 2012 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual body issue.
Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon
Rousey wins a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo.
