Ronda Rousey Says MVP Fight Would Have Offered ‘More Freedom’ Than UFC

Ronda Rousey has opened up once again about her time in the UFC, this time revealing that she had opportunities outside the promotion including the chance to fight under the MVP banner which she believes would have given her far more control over her career.

The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion spoke candidly about the contrast between fighting in the UFC and the flexibility she could have had elsewhere.

Rousey, one of the most influential figures in MMA history, said that the MVP model offered athletes more independence, something she didn’t truly feel during her years competing in the UFC.

Her comments reignited discussions among fans and fighters about athlete treatment, creative freedom, and the evolving structure of combat sports organizations.

Rousey Reflects on Her UFC Past

Rousey dominated the UFC bantamweight division during her prime, becoming a global superstar and the first woman to headline major MMA cards.

But despite her success, she has repeatedly mentioned the pressures that came with being the face of women’s MMA.

According to Rousey, she never felt she had the level of choice or freedom that would allow her to manage her own schedule or career direction.

In her view, fighting under the MVP format, which places greater emphasis on athlete independence and personal branding, could have created a healthier balance for her.

Rousey explained that the UFC structure required her to constantly stay available, promote fights, handle media obligations, and stay locked into a system that demanded full-time commitment with little room for personal decision-making.

Why the MVP Model Draws Interest from Fighters

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul, has built a reputation for offering fighters more creative control, allowing them to influence matchmaking, negotiate profit-sharing, and shape their own promotional direction.

Rousey highlighted that MVP’s approach resembles the freedom athletes enjoy in boxing and independent combat sports circuits. Fighters under MVP often have:

• Larger influence on their fight schedule
• Better revenue-sharing options
• More room for personal branding
• Reduced pressure from rigid promotional obligations

This model, she said, would have given her the “breathing room” she often lacked in the UFC.

Rousey’s Complicated Relationship with the UFC

Rousey’s impact on UFC history is undeniable. She opened the gates for women to compete at the highest level and carried the company’s early women’s divisions on her back. But her relationship with the organization has always had moments of strain.

She has previously spoken about burnout, media pressure, and the emotional toll that came with constant spotlight.

The losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes also marked a turning point in her career, leading to her eventual retirement from MMA.

Rousey asserts that with a more flexible promotional system, such as MVP, she may have extended her fighting career or at least experienced it with less stress.

Would Ronda Rousey Return to Combat Sports?

While fans continually speculate, Rousey has not indicated that a return to MMA is on her mind.

Instead, her recent comments focus more on how combat sports continue to evolve, especially as fighters look for fairer treatment and more autonomy.

Rousey praised modern promotional structures that empower athletes, saying she is glad the next generation has alternatives she didn’t.

Final Thoughts

Ronda Rousey’s comments highlight the growing conversation about fighter rights and promotional control.

As MVP and similar platforms continue to challenge traditional models, more fighters are openly discussing their desire for freedom in managing their career paths.

Rousey may no longer compete, but her influence on how fighters think about their careers and how promotions operate remains just as strong today.