Herrig thinks 'Mortal Kombat' used her likeness: 'Cassie Cage is 100-percent me'
Ever since Bo Jackson victimized hapless defenses in "Tecmo Bowl" for the NES way back in the 8-bit days of the 1980s, athletes in all sports have been looking to achieve video-game immortality.
It appears UFC women's strawweight Felice Herrig may have reached that coveted immortality in the newly-released "Mortal Kombat X," though she doesn't seem overly impressed about the situation.
"I don't think it's a coincidence. There's too many factors and components for it just to be a coincidence," Herrig told FOX Sports' Damon Martin. "There's the images that are the exact same photos I've done in photo shoots and they're the exact same poses used for Cassie Cage's character.
"Not only just the likeness but when you see her finishing move, which is blowing the bubble gum and putting it on the guy's face, and then her other finishing move is taking a selfie. I definitely believe they used my likeness. I think that Cassie Cage is 100-percent me."
The outspoken 115-pounder, who squares off with Paige VanZant at UFC on FOX 15 on Saturday, is flattered by the potential tribute, though she's still salty about the alleged unauthorized use of her likeness.
"Who doesn't want to be a bad-ass in a video game? Or a superhero in a movie? It's definitely cool and if they would have came to me and said, 'hey can we use your image and your likeness in a video game as Cassie Cage?' I would be more excited," Herrig said.
"It's hard to get excited because yeah it's an honor and it's exciting, but they're making a lot of money off that video game."