Vote to decide who had a bigger UFC impact ends in landslide result

Before the Irishman rose to the top, becoming the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion and taking the sport to new levels around the world, ‘Rowdy’ forged a path for women to compete inside the Octagon.

They had undeniable impacts on MMA. But as both prepare to make comebacks in 2026, Bloody Elbow recently asked the question — whose was bigger?

Who wins when Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano return to face each other?

Defend your pick in the comments

82% of fans think Conor McGregor had a bigger impact on the UFC than Ronda Rousey did

MMA fans have been voting in a poll as part of TalkingPoints on Bloody Elbow. Over 200 users had their say when asked to decide whether McGregor or Rousey had a bigger impact on the UFC.

Rousey beat Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in what marked the promotion’s very first women’s fight.

Given what the former Strikeforce and UFC bantamweight champion accomplished in a career that first platformed women’s MMA, the result of the vote may come as a surprise to many.

82 percent picked ‘The Notorious’ over Rousey, favoring his impact as the sport’s biggest star of all time and a fighter who transcended the usual borders of MMA stardom.

A number of fans on social media backed that result with their comments about the debate.

“Conor changed MMA forever!”

“Every single person I know who got into the sport after McGregor’s debut got into the sport because of McGregor. I’m sure exceptions exist, but I haven’t met them.”

“Conor without a doubt. I can’t stand Conor but it’s no secret that he transcended MMA to the next level.”

“Not even close. Conor became a global superstar.”

“Conor changed the game whether you like him or not. The entire sport sends thanks to Conor.”

“Conor by a mile.”

“Conor brought a new fanbase, bigger money fights, and was much more entertaining.”

But despite the landslide result, Rousey was not without her backers. And the sheer number of social media comments choosing ‘Rowdy’ would suggest that the debate is much closer than the poll would imply.

The case for ‘pioneer’ Ronda Rousey over Conor McGregor

Just 18 percent of voting fans selected Rousey, but the comments on social media tell a different story.

As Rousey prepares to return against Gina Carano in the main event of Netflix’s first MMA event on May 16, she received plenty of support online in the poll against McGregor.

While not many were clicking her name on the vote, a whole host of fans were outlining her case over McGregor’s under the Bloody Elbow Facebook posts.

“100 percent Rousey.. Without her, there is no women’s division. No (Amanda) Nunes, (Cris) Cyborg, Valentina (Shevchenko). None.”

“Rousey! There’s still a woman’s division, 3, which wouldn’t have happened without her! Bonnar vs Griffin drove UFC’s explosion of fans and Jon Jones and GSP were just as influential as Conor.”

“Ronda was huge, people who didn’t know what MMA or the UFC knew who Ronda Rousey was.”

“Ronda changed the game.”

“She’s a pioneer! Yes McGregor was technical but really utilized his comic timing and USED the Irish Pride to his advantage.”

“Ronda convinced the UFC to establish the women’s division but go on tell me more about the other guy?”

“Rousey was the better/bigger influence. Ever since McGregor, the term ‘casual’ came up, and rightfully so.”

“Not even close in favor of Ronda here… She was the one who paved the way for a Conor McGregor.”

“Ronda by far.”

“It has to be Ronda. The UFC created several divisions and a whole gender competes in the UFC because of her? Are you guys crazy?

“Ronda brought women to the UFC. 4 divisions were added because of her ripple effect.”