Ronda Rousey didn’t hold back in expressing her thoughts on the current state of UFC during a recent press conference ahead of her fight against Gina Carano. The former UFC star criticized the organization for not paying their athletes fairly, stating that many fighters are struggling to make ends meet despite UFC’s massive $7.7 billion deal with Paramount.
In a bold statement, Rousey called out women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, suggesting that Shevchenko’s decision to sell photos on OnlyFans was a result of UFC’s inadequate compensation. Shevchenko, in response, defended her choice to use OnlyFans as a way to connect with fans, implying that Rousey may be out of touch with the current landscape of the sport.
Rousey didn’t stop there, also criticizing UFC CEO Dana White’s leadership and the lackluster lineup for the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event. She claimed that White’s diminished role within the organization was a mistake and pointed out that the White House card for UFC Freedom 250 failed to meet expectations.
The UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House, features a lightweight championship bout between Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje. Despite the title implications of the fight, Rousey believes that the event lacks star power and may disappoint fans.
Overall, Rousey’s comments shed light on the ongoing issues within UFC regarding athlete compensation, leadership decisions, and event planning. As the sport continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how UFC addresses these concerns and adapts to meet the needs of its athletes and fans.
