Ronda Rousey Criticizes UFC's Direction, Citing Athlete Pay and Valentina Shevchenko's OnlyFans

Ronda Rousey, who once stood as the prominent face and a major star of the UFC, has voiced strong disapproval regarding the organization's current trajectory. She contends that since the UFC finalized a multi-billion dollar agreement with Paramount and transitioned to a streaming-centric model, the promotion has veered away from its fundamental mission.

Rousey explicitly stated that the UFC is no longer focused on "putting on the best fights possible." Instead, she argues that CEO Dana White is now legally bound to prioritize maximizing shareholder value. Rousey feels that with the operational control of the company largely shifted away from White, the organization has become "barely recognizable" and requires intervention, humorously volunteering herself as its "hero."

She also recalled her attempt to arrange a fight with Gina Carano, which she pitched directly to Dana White. However, after being unable to secure a "respectable deal," both Rousey and Carano ultimately partnered with Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix for the potential bout.

Rousey further elaborated on her critique, attributing many of the existing problems to Dana White's current status as an employee rather than an owner. She believes this shift prevents him from managing the company as he traditionally would have.

According to Rousey, the UFC, once considered the premier destination in combat sports for athletes to earn a fair living, has devolved into "one of the worst places." She highlighted that numerous top athletes are now departing the organization in search of better compensation elsewhere. As a stark example, she cited champions like Valentina Shevchenko resorting to selling personal content on platforms such as OnlyFans to supplement their income.

Rousey expressed concern that many athletes at the lower echelons struggle to financially support their families, often fighting full-time while living in near-poverty. Given the UFC's recent $7.7 billion valuation, she sees no justification for its failure to provide athletes with at least a living wage, let alone compensation comparable to what athletes earn in other major sports. She questioned why aspiring athletes would opt for MMA over sports like football, boxing, or any other discipline when the financial returns are so low. Rousey concluded that the UFC is experiencing a talent drain due to "short-term greed," focusing on quarterly profits and shareholders instead of fulfilling its responsibility as stewards of the sport's long-term future.