UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey at an open training session for fans and media at the UFC Gym in Torrance, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2015. (Photo : Getty Images/ Josh Hedges-Zuffa)
UFC champ Ronda Rousey has always been known for her outspoken ways and this time she has ripped legendary Filipino boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao for the latter's recent remarks on anti-gay marriage.
Pacquiao drew global condemnation, including his promoter and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, for his remarks that people engaged in same-sex relationship were "worse than animals." His comments even cost Pacquiao his Nike sponsorship worth $1 million per annum. However, all these seem to have failed to force the 37-year-old acclaimed boxer to change his views on gay relationship.
While Pacquiao, who is also a member of the Philippines House of Representatives and aspires to become the country's President after he quits competitive sport later this year, apologized for his drastic comment, he was adamant on his anti-gay stand. He even went to the extent of saying that his religion did not permit such relationship.
When Rousey was told of Pacquiao's comments this Tuesday, the UFC superstar responded well, tactfully blasting the Filipino boxer. "I understand that a lot of people use religion as a reason to be against gay people, but there was no 'Thou shall not be gay,' " TMZ quoted Rousey as telling the news outlet.
Although Rousey has never voiced her religious beliefs openly, she told the publication that God never said that gay sex was taboo. Stating that some people had the tendency to take wrong messages, she went on to add, "I really think that our Pope now is boss. He was saying something the other day that religion should be all-encompassing and should be about loving everyone."
During the interview with TMZ, the 29-year-old UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion also spoke about the response received by her following her appearance on "Ellen," Washington Post reported. Rousey revealed that she suffered from suicidal thoughts following her defeat to Holly Holm at the UFC 193.
"I feel like there's been an overly negative light on [discussing suicidal thoughts]. It's something real people are going through, not something like a weakness that we should condemn," she said during the interview. According to the celebrity boxer, suicide has affected her family deeply and this is the reason why she is not shy to discuss the topic. On the other hand, she said she would do anything to ensure that it affects as few people as possible.
Watch Holly Holm's shocking win against Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 below:
