Chael Sonnen: Some female fighters won't get along with Ronda Rousey, but they should be grateful to her

As Ronda Rousey continues to break down barriers and open up new doors for women's mixed martial arts (MMA) -- and the sport in general -- her upfront, unapologetic, and brash attitude continues to rub some people the wrong way.

And that's perfectly okay, according to Chael Sonnen, who says the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight champion won't always get along with her colleagues (see Miesha Tate rivalry).

But at the end of the day, those same women who don't like her "shit-talking" and bird-flipping ways, have to be grateful to "Rowdy."

Because if it wasn't for her and her never-back down attitude, women's MMA wouldn't be where it is today.

From Sonnen's conversation with UFC World podcast (via FOX Sports):

"She's the whole thing for women's MMA. I know there are some girls who don't get along with her but, at the end of the day, when they put their heads down at night they've got to be grateful. Saying that, there are some other girls that aren't too far behind. I think that Miesha Tate has done a great job and Gina Carano has a place in it all. But Ronda is the one coming out and making things happen. She's the one who said this is a fight and we can be ladylike after it's over. She's been refreshing, compelling and entertaining."

Aside from kicking down UFC President Dana White's door and convincing him to let women compete inside the Octagon, Rousey has also been making noise in "Hollywood," too, as the former Judoka has nabbed roles in blockbuster films such as "The Expendables 3," "Entourage" and "Fast and Furious 7."

She's even in talks to lead a potential franchise in "Athena Project."

Before Rousey ever hit the scene, Gina Carano -- the original face of women's MMA -- had already ventured into Tinseltown and forced eyeballs on female fighting. But Rousey, however, has taken it to levels unimagined during "Conviction's" glory days.

Perhaps, Gina was just a little too "ladylike" to get the job done.