Dana White has once again highlighted the massive role Ronda Rousey played in the rise of women’s MMA, admitting she was the driving force behind the UFC finally launching a women’s division.
For years, White insisted women would not compete inside the Octagon. However, one conversation with Rousey completely changed his perspective and ultimately reshaped the future of the sport.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, the UFC CEO explained why he initially resisted bringing female fighters into the promotion.
“I didn’t want women in the UFC,” White admitted. “The reason was simple. I was trying to sell men to television networks and sponsors, and they were already hesitant about MMA. I thought adding women would make it even harder.”
That stance changed when Rousey approached him and asked for a meeting.
“Ronda Rousey grabbed me at an event and said, ‘Hey, I’m Ronda Rousey. Can I get 15 minutes with you?'” White recalled. “We went into my room at the arena, and just minutes into the conversation, I thought, ‘Holy s**, I think I’m going to do this.’ And she’s the one to do it with.”*
“She came in with all that bravado,” White said. “You want to talk about someone with a chip on their shoulder? She had it. So many people want to hate on her now, but she is a f**ing unicorn.”*
The decision proved to be a turning point for the UFC. In 2013, the promotion officially introduced its women’s bantamweight division, with Rousey becoming the face of the movement.
The Olympic bronze medalist made history at UFC 157 when she defeated Liz Carmouche by first-round armbar submission to become the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. She went on to defend the title six times, helping bring women’s MMA into the mainstream and becoming one of the biggest stars the UFC has ever produced.
The keyword Dana White says Rousey got things started perfectly reflects White’s latest comments, as he credited the former champion for convincing him to take a chance on women’s MMA when few believed it could succeed at the highest level.
Rousey’s reign eventually came to an end after losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She later transitioned to professional wrestling and enjoyed a successful run in WWE.
Despite the way her fighting career ended, White believes Rousey’s impact on the sport remains unmatched.
Today, Rousey stands as one of the most influential figures in MMA history. Her contributions helped open the door for generations of female fighters, and the UFC recognized that legacy by making her the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
