Originally Posted by
tompaynter
I think dominant skill, particularly with an interesting style, is a big element. Sonnen dominated some good fighters--nobody did what he did to Anderson Silva, even though he lost by late submission. The Diaz brothers beat people it seemed like they had no business beating, with a unique style where tons of seemingly pitty-pat punches accumulated massive damage. B.J. Penn was a great fighter who rarely showed a mark on his face (had that skin that doesn't cut or bruise), but Nick Diaz busted him up.
As for personality, I think it has to authentic or mostly authentic. Rousey, in addition to her skill, had a really affable, charismatic personality that turned into the most intense game-face at fight time. Sonnen I think played up and exaggerated real aspects of his personality--he was probably one of the best at faking it and even he was only faking it 30%. Most of the time when a fighter says "I am going to play up a persona because that is what gets attention," it is cringe-inducing.
I guess as an admirer of the sport and the skills involved I resist the idea that popularity has too much to do with personality. As DiCaprio's monster of a character said (roughly) in Django Unchained, "All this talk of a Black Colossus is fine, but you need someone who can win fights."
Avila has a lot of confidence in interviews (based on hers with SS), and an interesting story/approach with the strength training. I bet if she keeps winning she will get attention. First-round knockouts don't hurt either!