Ronda Rousey is making a return to MMA after 10 years, facing Gina Carano in a bout at the Intuit Dome in California on 16 May.
Rousey, 39, dismissed critics questioning her age before the fight against Carano, 44. Carano is competing for the first time in 17 years. The fight will be broadcast live on Netflix and take place under Jake Paul’s promotional outfit MVP.
Rousey Defends Her Return and Addresses Age Concerns
Rousey pointed to 38-year-old former UFC champion Jon Jones as an example where age is not a point of criticism. Jones last fought 17 months ago. “I never hear Jon Jones’ age being brought up as a disqualifying factor. Why are we even talking about this?” Rousey told CBS Mornings.
Rousey retired in 2016 following defeats by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She had defended the UFC bantamweight title six times. Rousey acknowledged she was forced to retire because of repeated concussions. She and Carano will have extra neurological tests before their bout.
Criticism of UFC Fighter Pay
During a news conference last month to promote the fight, Rousey said she wanted to “rewrite her ending” in the sport. She criticised the modern UFC and claims that her encounter with Carano is a “charity” fight.
At a news conference in New York on Wednesday, Rousey expanded on those themes. She said each fighter on the card would earn a minimum of $40,000 (£29,500) whether they win or lose.
“I hope that everyone sitting here today is getting the biggest pay day of their career, and I hope after this event we can raise that ceiling higher and higher until it is on par with the highest-level boxers, because that is where the holy grail for us is,” said Rousey.
Fighter pay has been questioned by athletes and the media recently after boxer Conor Benn secured a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing. Zuffa Boxing is owned by UFC president Dana White. Critics have asked why he does not pay similar amounts to his MMA fighters under contract.
The UFC gives about 20% of revenue to fighter pay, compared with boxers’ 60%.
Solidarity With Other Fighters
Nate Diaz, who fights fellow American Mike Perry on the Rousey card, described the athletes at the news conference as “free fighters”. American Diaz and Cameroon’s Ngannou, who is set to face Brazil’s Philipe Lins, left the UFC after criticising fighter pay.
“Everybody on this stage is a leader because they took a stand and said ‘no’ and they’re worth more,” said Rousey.
Ronda Rousey has won 12 of her 14 professional MMA fights.
- Rousey and Carano will have extra neurological tests before their bout.
- Each fighter on the card will earn a minimum of $40,000 (£29,500) whether they win or lose.
- Rousey defended the UFC bantamweight title six times during a historic reign.
Rousey said the reason “we’re all here” is because fighters are worth more.