Ronda Rousey Mocks Dana White and Donald Trump’s Collaboration: “White House Card Sucks”

UFC legend Ronda Rousey has some strong words for the upcoming UFC White House event slated for June 14th.

Ronda Rousey Mocks Dana White and Donald Trump’s Collaboration: “White House Card Sucks”

Ronda Rousey calls out Dana White's Freedom Fight's 250 (via MMA Fighting, X)

In Short
  • Ronda Rousey criticized the UFC's Freedom Fights 250 card, calling it disappointing.
  • She expressed concerns about fighter pay and the promotion's focus on shareholders over fans.
  • Rousey is set to return to MMA under MVP MMA after nearly a decade away from the sport.

Ronda Rousey is a pioneer of women’s MMA and the first female fighter signed by the UFC. Her early success helped raise the promotion’s global profile and established women’s divisions as a major part of the sport. She maintained a strong relationship with UFC CEO Dana White for years. However, her comments on the UFC Freedom Fights 250 card suggest that their relationship may now be strained.

Rousey had a major impact on the UFC by headlining pay-per-view events and becoming the first female bantamweight UFC champion. She last fought in December 2016 against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, losing in the first round. That fight ended her initial MMA career and led to retirement. Her earlier dominance set PPV records and brought significant attention to women’s divisions in the sport.

Rousey is set to return under MVP MMA to face fellow veteran Gina Carano in a featherweight bout, her first professional fight in nearly a decade. White recently revealed the UFC White House card, Freedom Fights 250, during the UFC 326 broadcast. Despite anticipation for the event, many were disappointed with the announced lineup. This context led to Rousey’s recent critical comments about the card and the UFC.

That’s what happens when you put fighters and fans ahead of shareholders. P.S @ufc’s White House card sucks.

Ronda Rousey via X

Rousey’s comments came after former UFC champion Francis Ngannou was announced to face Philippe Lins on the undercard of her MVP MMA event. The bout is scheduled for five rounds and adds a high-profile matchup to the card. Ngannou was released from the PFL just days earlier, having fought only once during his three-year contract. His addition further increased attention on Rousey’s comeback card.

There was significant anticipation for the UFC White House card, with many expecting names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones to be featured. Interestingly, Rousey was also approached to fight on the card but declined. She laughed off the offer and indicated she had no interest in participating. Her comments also indirectly highlighted ongoing concerns about fighter pay and compensation within the UFC.

‘Rowdy’s comments about prioritizing shareholders are seen as a subtle jab at the UFC. Many fans noted this, suggesting Dana White may be losing the passion he once had for the promotion. He has also faced criticism over low fighter pay and underwhelming cards and announcements. Having witnessed the UFC’s rise and prime firsthand, Ronda Rousey’s remarks reflect how she now views the promotion’s direction.

Ronda Rousey reveals ‘largest PPV deal’ offered by Dana White that never materialized

Before her MVP MMA fight against Gina Carano was announced, there was speculation that Ronda Rousey would return to competition. The former UFC champion had remained retired for nearly a decade after leaving the sport in 2016. Now 39 years old, she faced uncertainty about whether she would fight again. However, training videos and insider reports hinted that the UFC legend could be preparing for a comeback.

Dana White talks about Ronda Rousey's return
Dana White talks about Ronda Rousey’s return (via MMA Mania)

The UFC recently finalized a $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount+, marking a major shift toward a streaming-focused model. During that transition, Rousey revealed she had initially been open to returning to the UFC. However, the promotion was reportedly unwilling to offer her a guaranteed financial figure under the new structure. This situation ultimately influenced her decision regarding a comeback.

They didn’t want to set a precedent of giving me the guaranteed money I deserve… they just made a $7.7 billion deal at Paramount. It’s in their best interest not to put on the best fights possible, but to spend as little money as possible so they can keep it. Now that they sold the company, it’s out of Dana’s hands unfortunately and it’s fallen onto Hunter Campbell and UFC corp. They don’t care about putting on the best fights possible, they care about putting on the most cost effective fights possible.

Ronda Rousey via The Jim Rome Show

Rousey’s remarks again highlight the ongoing debate over fighter pay and compensation in MMA. The UFC has often faced criticism regarding how fighters are paid compared to other sports. Despite this, Dana White has consistently defended the promotion’s pay structure. The issue continues to surface whenever major contract negotiations or high-profile returns are discussed.

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