Ronda Rousey Shockingly Claims Dana White Doesn’t Have Control Over UFC: “They’ve Really Lost Their Way”

UFC legend Ronda Rousey continues on her criticism towards the UFC and blames the organization for taking control from Dana White.

Ronda Rousey Shockingly Claims Dana White Doesn’t Have Control Over UFC: “They’ve Really Lost Their Way”

Ronda Rousey (via X)

In Short
  • Ronda Rousey claims Dana White has lost control over the UFC, raising concerns about its direction.
  • The UFC recently signed a $7.7 billion media rights deal with Paramount+, impacting its organizational dynamics.
  • Rousey's return to MMA against Gina Carano marks a significant event, highlighting ongoing issues within the UFC.

Ronda Rousey was once one of the UFC’s biggest superstars. She became the first female fighter signed and the inaugural women’s bantamweight champion. Her dominance helped elevate the promotion, especially for female athletes. She will return against Gina Carano under the MVP banner after 10 years. Rousey recently raised concerns about recent changes following Dana White‘s loss of autonomy.

White convinced the Fertitta Brothers to buy the UFC in 2001 and became its president. He oversaw rapid growth, transforming the promotion into a global billion-dollar powerhouse and reshaping MMA worldwide. This structure changed in 2016 when Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor acquired the UFC. In 2023, the UFC merged with WWE to form TKO Group Holdings, and White’s title shifted from president to CEO.

The UFC recently signed a $7.7 billion media rights and streaming deal with Paramount+. The agreement covers broadcast and digital distribution for several upcoming years. Rousey has voiced serious concerns over the promotion’s organizational dynamics. She has repeatedly called for full control to be returned to White and most recently criticized this in a video from her inaugural MVP press conference.

They’ve become too comfortable with being the dominant force in the industry and just making fighters offers where they’re like, take it or leave it. What else are you going to do? It used to be anti-establishment, and now it’s become the establishment. I feel like since they’ve taken the reins away from Dana, they’ve really lost their way, and they think that they’re too big to fail… they don’t care how many casual fans they lose because they got their streaming money

Ronda Rousey via YouTube

Another major topic drawing attention is fighter pay, a longstanding debate in the sport. Many UFC fighters and fans have openly criticized White for the promotion’s compensation structure. However, the UFC CEO has consistently defended it, emphasizing that fighters need to build their own marketability and personal brands. This debate continues to shape discussions around the promotion’s business model.

Another major criticism of White is the recent perceived lack of focus in the UFC. Many, including journalist Ariel Helwani, have highlighted underwhelming announcements for some of the promotion’s biggest fighters. UFC legend Demetrious Johnson also criticized White for ignoring suggestions from the hardcore fanbase. These issues have sparked ongoing debates over the promotion’s priorities.

Criticism from a pioneer like Ronda Rousey is particularly concerning for the UFC as a promotion. As one of the world’s largest MMA organizations, such critiques can significantly affect its global reputation and public perception. The ongoing issues highlight clear challenges in leadership and organizational strategy across the promotion. It remains to be seen how Dana White will respond to these ongoing concerns.

Gina Carano reveals how Ronda Rousey convinced her to return to MMA

The Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano superfight is scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Both fighters are ending lengthy retirements, with Rousey inactive since 2016 and Carano since 2009. The bout is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and will stream globally on Netflix. This event marks a high‑profile return for both pioneers of women’s MMA.

Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey
Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey (via MMA Fighting)

Carano’s career originally spanned from 2006 to 2009, during which she competed in EliteXC and Strikeforce before retiring. The superfight with Rousey was previously seen as a major opportunity that was missed due to differing contracts and organizational decisions. Now 43, Carano confirmed that Rousey personally convinced her to return. This outreach ultimately led to their matchup under the MVP banner.

She called, I answered. We had a great conversation and she was like, ‘I am looking at my ranch right now an I have you to thank for that’. She has been chasing me for a while and mentioned me for a long long time to have this fight. I was like it doesn’t have to be a fight. We could do a movie. You don’t have to do this, you know. And she’s like, ‘I really want this.’ And I was like, ‘Game on then, let’s do this.’

Gina Carano via JAXXON podcast

The call from Ronda Rousey appears to have benefited Gina Carano and MVP significantly. UFC veterans such as Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Junior Dos Santos, and Francis Ngannou are now part of the fight card. The event is being promoted as one of the biggest and most stacked cards in recent MMA history.

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