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Was There Ever 'Really' Beef Between Ronda Rousey and Floyd Mayweather?

Floyd's latest comments have us thinking their "rivalry" is just smoke and mirrors.
By Christopher Rosa
November 17, 2015 / 1:45 PM

I'm not a sports fan, and even I know about UFC fighter Ronda Rousey and boxer Floyd Mayweather's (alleged) beef. Notice how I say alleged. Up until this week, we've heard nothing but dismissive comments from these two about the other. Just check out these soundbites from the past year or so:

  • Ronda on Floyd at the 2015 ESPYs: "I wonder how Floyd feels being beat by a woman for once. I'd like to see him pretend to not know who I am now."

  • Floyd on Ronda, via TMZ Sports: "Last time I checked, I was No. 1 on Forbes. She will never be at my status. Keep trying to get publicity."

  • Ronda on Floyd: "When he learns to read and write, he can text me."

  • Floyd on Ronda: "I don't even know who he is." (Notice the pronoun confusion.)

    • Yikes. Not exactly the words of BFFs, am I right? That's why when Ronda brutally lost her first match to Holly Holm at UFC 193 this weekend, I was surprised by Floyd's encouraging words to her. Check out what he told FightHype.com:

    "I don't think it's cool how everyone is trolling her on social media...Certain things you have to learn. People will love you on Friday and then Sunday morning, it's nothing but negative comments and people making jokes and people making fun about you, which I don't think is cool. I've never been on the other side, so I don't know how it feels. I'm pretty sure she's a very, very strong person, but we still have to take into consideration that she has feelings."

    And get this: According to ESPN, Floyd also said, "I want Ronda Rousey to hold her head up high and don't let this discourage you...Her ground game is unbelievable. She'll be OK."

    Wait, am I missing something here? Floyd went from saying shady things about Ronda to the complete opposite: praising her. The same man who said Ronda will "never be" at his status just said her ground game is "unbelievable." It's an odd contrast, eh?

    The change in tune leaves me wondering: Was their "feud" even real to begin with? Or was it nothing but a media-charged narrative aimed at making these two heavyweights seem larger than life, gain more publicity and simply entertain us? Of course, this is something I'm sure neither camp will ever confirm or deny.

    But it is certainly suspect. If Floyd really dislikes Ronda, wouldn't he—if anything—just keep his mouth shut about her loss? His seemingly sincere words indicate maybe he sees her current predicament as greater than whatever beef fodder he is supposed to perpetuate to the press. Simply put, you would never take time out of your schedule to shower a woman you didn't care for with compliments if you in fact didn't care for her.

    The only differing piece of evidence to my theory is 50 Cent's latest Instagram post. Check out this tomfoolery, which he captioned, "LMAO FLOYD TOLD ME TO POST THIS ?, he want me to do the dirty work.? #EFFENVODKA #FRIGO #SMSAUDIO":

    Again, we're looking at contrasting messages. 50 is being trolly on social media (at the supposed request of Floyd) while Floyd is busy saying sweet things about Ronda IRL. But until Floyd comes out and confirms he asked 50 to post this nonsense, we choose to believe the opposite. Plus, Demi Lovato already called out 50's post like the queen she is. (See above.)

    But we do have this rebuttal, Ms. Lovato: Perhaps there is no real dirty work at all, just media hype. Floyd's actual words seem to put all of this brouhaha to rest. Don't you agree?