Ronda Rousey has stated that her upcoming fight with Gina Carano will set a new fight purse record for female fighters. The fight is scheduled for Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Rousey, who became the first woman to be signed by the UFC in 2012, will face Carano. Carano last competed in 2009.
Rousey Takes Aim at UFC
Rousey criticised the UFC’s fighter pay. She also criticised UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison. Rousey championed her bout with Carano as a landscape-shifting moment for the sport.
“The biggest money fight is the biggest fight period. And we [Harrison] honestly have very different definitions of greatness. Mine is making history, making a cultural impact and influencing the future of the sport,” said Rousey.
Rousey added: “I’ve already won a record eight consecutive title fights, there’s nothing left for me to do in UFC. So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have been paid in combat sports.”
Rousey’s Return to Fighting
Rousey is fighting for the first time in 10 years. She retired following a defeat by Amanda Nunes in 2016 and continued her criticism of the UFC in the final news conference.
Her last reported purse in the UFC was $3m (£2.2m). Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor allegedly got paid around $5m (£3.7m) for their trilogy boxing bout last year.
All 22 fighters competing on the card were on stage to answer questions from the media, but Rousey was asked more questions than anyone else.
MVP’s Role and Rousey’s Ambitions
Rousey spoke as both a fighter and a promoter. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) chose her to spearhead their debut MMA event, which is being broadcast live on Netflix.
Some of the biggest ex-UFC fighters were at the top table with Rousey including Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz. The UFC continues to cast a long shadow over MVP’s event.
While Rousey said she has no problem with UFC president Dana White, she voiced her unhappiness at how the promotion is being run. She predicted the MVP-Netflix partnership could change the future of MMA.
“Who can say the success of this fight won’t give the competition the UFC needs and give bargaining power back to the fighters?” said Rousey.
Rousey added: “I could become the face of MVP and MMA and the most powerful figure in the sport since Dana. I’m not chasing greatness, I am greatness and people are chasing me.”
Praise for Carano
Rousey praised Carano, refraining from showing the competitive edge she displayed during her early MMA career.
Carano, 44, was the first woman alongside Cris Cyborg in 2009 to headline a card in a major MMA promotion, but retired shortly after.
“If anyone can steal my happiness [and beat me] I’d be happy for it to be Gina because she inspired me when I was sitting on the couch one day, and I’ve never been able to give back to her.