Ronda Rousey, a legendary figure in mixed martial arts, has vocally criticized her former employer, the UFC, for its inadequate pay and treatment of athletes, particularly as she prepares to return to the sport later this year. During a press conference for Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), owned by influencer Jake Paul, Rousey lamented that the UFC was once the best place to earn a living as a fighter but is now among the worst. She highlighted the exodus of prominent fighters seeking better financial opportunities elsewhere as a testament to the UFC's declining reputation among athletes.

In reinforcing her stance, Rousey pointed to the current top female fighter in the UFC, Valentina Shevchenko, as an example of how the sport has failed to provide adequate earnings for its athletes. Rousey is particularly critical of the need for fighters to seek alternative revenue streams, such as selling content on platforms like OnlyFans, to sustain their income. She contends that it is unacceptable for top-level athletes to resort to such measures, implying that this reflects poorly on the UFC's management and its financial policies.

As Rousey embarks on this new chapter in her career with MVP, her criticisms of the UFC not only signal her discontent but also raise broader questions about the sports industry's treatment of its athletes and financial sustainability across professional fighting promotions. Her return to the octagon with a different organization could catalyze further discussions regarding pay structures and the value attributed to fighters in a sport where physical risks are significant and the competition is fierce.