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Dana White Explains The Secret To Ronda Rousey's Success

The UFC president says Rousey "killed it" as host of "SNL."
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By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost Live

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's road to mainstream recognition has been helped tremendously by the force that is Ronda Rousey, and UFC president Dana White says that's because Rousey is a one-in-a-million star like no other.

During a Thursday interview with HuffPost Live about his series "Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight," White explained that Rousey is the kind of star who is born, not made.

"Some people have that star quality in them and some people are superstars and others just aren't," White said. "You can be a great fighter and be super talented, but just not have that persona and that 'It factor.' ... Ronda Rousey is -- she is it."

Rousey got the chance to show off her star quality last weekend, when she hosted "Saturday Night Live." White's review? "She killed it." He added that Rousey, who has also appeared in several films, including "Furious 7," has managed to use her UFC fights as a launching pad in way others can't.

White said he credits fighters like Rousey -- and, presumably, Holly Holm, who broke Rousey's winning streak in November -- with raising the caliber of women's competition in the UFC.

"The women's fights are more popular than the men's fights, and it's not because it's some type of sideshow, freak-show type thing. It's because the women have actually, as far as their skill, have got to a level where they're fun and exciting to watch," he said. 

Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation with Dana White and UFC fighter Matt Serra here.

Want more HuffPost Live? Stream us anytime on Go90, Verizon's mobile social entertainment network, and listen to our best interviews on iTunes.

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Holly Holm Knocks Out Ronda Rousey At UFC 193
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: (R-L) Ronda Rousey punches Holly Holm in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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Ronda Rousey of the US (L) lines up compatriot Holly Holm during the UFC title fight in Melbourne on November 15, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO ADVERTISING USE NO PROMOTIONAL USE NO MERCHANDISING USE. AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL CROCK via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Holly Holm punches Ronda Rousey in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States (R) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Pat Scala /Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States (L) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Pat Scala /Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States (R) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Quinn Rooney via Getty Images)
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Holly Holm of the US (R) lands a kick to the neck to knock out compatriot Ronda Rousey and win the UFC title fight in Melbourne on November 15, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO ADVERTISING USE NO PROMOTIONAL USE NO MERCHANDISING USE. AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL CROCK via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: New UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm of the United States celebrates her victory over Ronda Rousey of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Referee Herb Dean ends the fight as New UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm of the United States starts to celebrate her victory over Ronda Rousey of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Holly Holm celebrates her second round KO (headkick and punches) over Ronda Rousey (not pictured) in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Holly Holm of the United States celebrates victory over Ronda Rousey of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Quinn Rooney via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States receives medical treatment after being defeated by Holly Holm of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Quinn Rooney via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States receives medical treatment after being defeated by Holly Holm of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) (credit:Quinn Rooney via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey looks on after losing her championship title by KO (head kick and punches) to Holly Holm (not pictured) in two rounds of their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm poses backstage for a post-fight portrait after the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey by KO in second round. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Holly Holm celebrates her second round KO (headkick and punches) over Ronda Rousey (not pictured) in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: New UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm (C) of the United States celebrates as she makes her way through the crowd as she leaves the arena after her victory over Ronda Rousey of the United States in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (credit:Scott Barbour /Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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