Ronda Rousey'S Blistering Take On Ufc'S White House Card

Ronda Rousey Critiques UFC's Latest Move

Ronda Rousey isn't holding back. The former UFC bantamweight champion recently aired her concerns about the promotion's upcoming White House card, set for June 14. During a press conference for her Netflix fight against Gina Carano on May 16, Rousey took aim at the quality of the lineup and the economic realities for fighters today.

"Dana knows the White House card sucks," Rousey declared, hitting hard at UFC's president Dana White. She criticized the organization for pushing the card for a year, only for it to fall "extremely short." Her sharp critique wasn't limited to the event itself, as she also targeted the pay structure of the sport, highlighting how even top-tier athletes are seeking extra income through platforms like OnlyFans.

A Shift in Revenue Streams

Rousey's comments come at a time when numerous UFC fighters are turning to subscription platforms to supplement their income. Notable names like Valentina Shevchenko and Ailin Perez are among those leveraging these platforms, providing training content, fight camp updates, and fitness tips to fans. It's a growing trend that's sparked debate over fighter pay within the sport.

“UFC is not the place to go to make money, champions like Valentina are selling their t-----s on OnlyFans,” Rousey voiced with frustration, pointing out the financial struggles fighters face.

Paige VanZant, another former UFC star, famously stated she earned more in 24 hours on OnlyFans than during her entire fighting career, highlighting the stark contrast in earnings. Rousey herself had a lucrative career, earning between $4.3 million and $16 million, yet she emphasizes that this isn't the norm for all fighters.

UFC's High-Profile Event

While Rousey raises eyebrows with her criticism, Dana White has been candid about the challenges of organizing the White House card. During the UFC 326 post-fight press conference, he acknowledged the complexities, detailing how the matchmakers scoured for viable matches to present to the President and his team.

The main event features Ilia Topuria defending the lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. Despite the high-stakes bout, White admitted that the event demands extensive work, with Craig Borsari, UFC's Head of Production, fully dedicated to its execution.

As the date approaches, the UFC and its fighters continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape, with Rousey's remarks adding to the ongoing discussion about the sustainability of fighter earnings and the industry's future.