Ronda Rousey is back in the spotlight ahead of her long-awaited MMA return and she is not holding back when it comes to her former employer.
The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion reacted strongly after Most Valuable Promotions announced the signing of Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is now expected to face Philipe Lins in the co-main event of the same fight night that will feature Ronda Rousey’s return against Gina Carano. The event is scheduled for May 16 and will stream on Netflix.
Following the announcement of Ngannou’s fight, Ronda Rousey celebrated the growing lineup while also taking a direct jab at the UFC’s upcoming White House event.
“Ngannou vs. Lins joins Rousey vs. Carano on Netflix, May 16!” Rousey wrote on social media. “How’s that for a [bad ass motherf*cker] laden double headliner? That’s what happens when you put fighters and fans ahead of shareholders. P.S. UFC’s White House card sucks!”
Rousey capped the post with double middle-finger emojis, leaving little doubt about how she feels about the rival event.
Since announcing her comeback fight against Carano, Ronda Rousey has openly praised her partnership with Most Valuable Promotions. The company is run by Jake Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian.
According to Rousey, working with MVP has allowed fighters to take center stage rather than corporate interests.
Her comments reflect a growing divide between the former UFC champion and the promotion that helped launch her career.
Despite her criticism of the organization, Ronda Rousey revealed that she initially approached the UFC about a possible return before signing with MVP.
However, negotiations eventually broke down after the UFC signed a massive broadcast agreement with Paramount that reportedly changed the promotion’s business model.
Speaking about the situation previously, Rousey explained how the shift impacted her potential deal.
“Dana’s now legally obligated to maximize shareholder revenue,” Rousey said. “It’s not just about proving the concept of fighting and putting on the best fights possible and proving that this is a sport to be taken seriously.”
“I think now that they’ve sold the company, it’s kind of out of Dana’s hands unfortunately.”
Ronda Rousey’s upcoming bout against Gina Carano will mark her first MMA fight in nearly a decade. The matchup between two of the most recognizable names in women’s combat sports has already generated significant buzz.
With Francis Ngannou now added to the card, the event has quickly evolved into one of the most anticipated fight nights of the year.
Rousey is also scheduled to appear at a press conference this week to promote the event, where she may once again address the UFC and the ongoing rivalry between promotions.
