Not only did UFC champion Ronda Rousey beat Floyd Mayweather Jr to an ESPY award for ‘Best Fighter’, she delivered a sly dig at the boxer when accepting the trophy.

Rousey pondered how Mayweather felt being “beaten by a woman for once” in a muted reference to his history of violence toward women.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr didn’t even know that Ronda Rousey was a girl. Photo: Getty

Many tipped Mayweather, who has been convicted of domestic violence in the past, to win the award at the ceremony in Los Angeles after his record-breaking “Fight of the Century” triumph against Manny Pacquiao, via a unanimous points decision.

However Rousey beat the boxer to the award for her 14-second submission win at UFC 184 in February that extended her record to 11-0.

Earlier, Mayweather claimed to not know who Rousey was, or that “he” was actually a “she”.

“I have no idea who he is,” Mayweather is reported to have responded to a question about the UFC fighter.

When interviewed on the red carpet, Rousey said: “I’d like to see you [Mayweather] pretend not to know who I am now.”

Mayweather’s long history of domestic violence includes six charges and a two month term in jail in 2012.