Most combat sports fans would agree the UFC has come a long way in the last five years. But despite the hype as the fastest growing sport in the world and the undisputed top mixed martial arts company on the planet, they have a way still to go.
They have yet to meet one of the unwritten and time-tested benchmarks for mainstream success.
Yes, Sesame Street.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Oprah Winfrey. Tom Hanks. Ice Cube. Jeff Gordon. Beyonce. David Beckham. Bo Jackson. Serena Williams. Joe Namath. Doctor J. Katy Perry. They’ve all appeared on Sesame Street.
To my knowledge, in the 46-year history of Sesame Street, mixed martial arts is still waiting for its first guest appearance.
Five years ago, Â I thought Georges St-Pierre was the guy to do it.
GSP was a personable champion, with a down-to-earth personality, able to disarm critics with his bilingual charms. He would and still can be a great choice for Sesame Street.
Previously, I would have gone with the obvious choice: UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey.
Her Redditt AMA session showed she can adjust to any format.
Her charisma, along with her trailblazing run in the UFC women’s bantamweight division seals the deal. Imagine Ronda and Big Bird segment. Or Ronda and The Count.
It could launch a thousand MMA careers.
But since she lost the belt to Holly Holm at UFC 193 and her questionable state of mind, Rousey is no longer the best hope.
Given the class that Holm bestowed on the belt and the class she showed losing it to Miesha Tate, I think she is the current best choice.
Tate as the feel-good champion, is another great choice. With her  personality and charisma, they could have a field day with cupcakes.
Because at Sesame Street, they don’t take credit cards.
