Ronda Rousey has always been known for her fierce fighting skills and unapologetic attitude. But lately, she’s been making headlines not for her actions in the octagon, but for her outspoken criticism of the UFC and its president Dana White.
Once considered one of White’s most loyal stars, Rousey has now fully embraced her role as a vocal advocate for fighter rights. And her latest message may be her most pointed yet.
Taking to social media, the former bantamweight champion reignited the ongoing debate around fighter pay with a sharp tweet. “If [the UFC] didn’t want to pay [fighters] more, why did they buy an island?” she wrote, referencing the UFC’s recent purchase of a private island to host fights during the pandemic.
This tweet is just the latest in a series of jabs Rousey has taken at her former employer. In the past, she has accused the UFC of underpaying fighters and not providing adequate healthcare. And she’s not the only one speaking out.
Fellow UFC fighters like Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal have also been vocal about their issues with fighter pay. Jones even went as far as to demand his release from the UFC, citing his dissatisfaction with his pay and the treatment of other fighters.
But what makes Rousey’s criticism stand out is her history with the UFC. As one of the biggest stars in the organization, she was once seen as a company woman, always willing to defend the UFC and White. So, what changed?
It seems that Rousey has finally had enough. After years of being the face of the UFC and helping to bring in millions of dollars in revenue, she feels that she and her fellow fighters are not being fairly compensated. And she’s not afraid to speak out about it.
This is not the first time Rousey has been at odds with the UFC. In 2018, she famously criticized the organization for not promoting her fight against Amanda Nunes as the main event, despite being one of the biggest draws in the sport. And while she may have lost that fight, she’s not backing down from this fight for fair pay.
Rousey’s tweets have sparked a heated debate among fans and fighters alike. Some argue that the UFC is a business and should be able to pay their fighters whatever they want. But others, including Rousey, believe that the fighters are the ones who make the organization successful and should be compensated accordingly.
The issue of fighter pay has been a longstanding one in the UFC. While top fighters like Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov may make millions per fight, the majority of fighters are not so lucky. Many struggle to make ends meet and are not provided with health insurance or retirement benefits.
Rousey’s criticism of the UFC has also shed light on other issues within the organization, such as the lack of diversity and unequal treatment of female fighters. With her platform and influence, she is using her voice to bring attention to these issues and push for change.
Her outspokenness has not gone unnoticed by Dana White, who has fired back at Rousey in the past. But instead of backing down, Rousey continues to rub salt in the UFC’s biggest wounds, calling out the organization for its lack of transparency and fairness.
In a sport where fighters are often afraid to speak out for fear of repercussions, Rousey’s boldness is refreshing. She is using her platform to stand up for herself and her fellow fighters, and her actions may lead to much-needed changes in the UFC.
While Rousey may no longer be a part of the UFC, her impact on the sport and the organization is undeniable. She has shown that she is not afraid to speak her mind and fight for what she believes in, even if it means going against the organization that once made her a star.
Whether or not the UFC will listen to Rousey’s criticisms and make changes remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Ronda Rousey is not holding back anymore, and her message is resonating with fighters and fans alike.
