One of Ronda Rousey’s idols is Brazilian: Judo legend Flavio Canto who is today a TV presenter in Brazil. The two – who are Olympic medalists in judo – maintain a solid friendship and, now and then, Ronda comes to Brazil to train at Canto’s Reaction Institute. On her last visit Ronda presented the organization with a check for $ 30,000.

Flavio told Tatame magazine:

“It was a tremendous surprise. We were doing a story on her and Rafael (Dos Anjos), and when he had finished recording, she said that she had a gift to give me. She got up, picked up a check and said, ‘I always had a great affection for the Reaction Institue, and have always been well received. I made an auction of my gloves UFC and promised I’d give the proceeds to Reaction ‘.The kids love her and identify with her for her being a judoka. It was a surprise. I was thrilled.”

 

Ronda returns to Brazil on August 1st to face Bethe Correia, and the bantamweight champion is already a favorite in the eyes of bookmakers mainly due to her takedowns and submissions. Asked if he would help Bethe improve her judo, Flavio was surprised, and said he would not refuse.

“I have the Judo culture. Because in Judo, I’ve helped major opponents who were my friends. My coach got angry: ‘Hey Flavio, you’ll fight this guy again and you’re showing him how to get out of this technique?’ But I don’t believe in hiding my game. I have always been an open book. I won’t refuse to help Bethe because Ronda is my friend, I have a relationship with her from the time of Judo. But I would not refuse to help Bethe. The principle is stronger than me, “

For the judoka, however, another Brazilian would give Ronda the hardest fight of his career.

“Cris Cyborg would be the most difficult fight for her. Cyborg has heavy hands and can knock out even a man. She is very strong. But in the same weightclass, Ronda is favorite over any girl. Ronda is now the most dangerous athlete in MMA. Pound for pound, she is the best athlete.”