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'She's amazing': Ronda Rousey heaps praise on Michelle Payne

Ronda Rousey brought Melbourne to a standstill today, holding a public training session in Federation Square.

Ahead of Sunday’s bantamweight championship title fight at UFC193, the undefeated champion was joined on stage by Australia’s girl of the moment, Michelle Payne.

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Well-known for her fight for equal rights for women in sport, Rousey was nothing short of in awe of the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.

"She's just amazing," Rousey said of Payne.

Two of sport's leading female athletes. Image: Getty
Two of sport's leading female athletes. Image: Getty

After her historic victory in the race that stops the nation, Payne scored an invite to Royal Ascot's international jockeys' challenge.

Her efforts to become the first female jockey to win the Cup didn't go unnoticed by Rousey.

"She really set the tone right away and she's an inspiration for women in Melbourne.

"It was such a pleasure and an honour to meet her."

Rousey's fight with Holly Holm is expected to break the UFC's all-time attendance record at Etihad Stadium, and the pay-per-view is expected to hover somewhere around one million buys.

Heading into UFC 193, Rousey has stated on numerous occasions that she plans on standing with the boxing champion.

Rousey even went as far as to predict a knockout, but Holm won't be backing down.

"I guess I’ve always looked at fighting as each fighter has a way of getting up for a fight," said Holm about Rousey’s talk.

"Some get really into it by talking a lot. That doesn’t make me any more scared or nervous."



The stage is certainly set for an epic encounter.

With Rousey's previous fights lasting an average of less than one minute, how will Holm stand up to the champ?