Ronda Rousey opens up on Dana White rift, says "Don’t punish me"

Ronda Rousey has finally addressed the long-speculated breakdown in negotiations with UFC president Dana White, revealing that her potential return to the Octagon unraveled despite what she described as the most lucrative offer of her career.

Speaking candidly about the stalled comeback talks, Rousey confirmed she was actively negotiating with White and was presented with a groundbreaking financial package. According to Rousey, the proposed deal would have significantly raised her pay-per-view earnings threshold under the UFC’s existing broadcast structure.

The deal that changed with the model

At the time of discussions, the UFC was operating under a pay-per-view structure tied to its ESPN broadcast rights agreement. Rousey claimed White offered terms that would have set a historic benchmark.

“I went to [White] and I’m like, ‘Dude, you say that I’m the best fighter you ever worked with. Reward me for it. Don’t punish me for being easy to work with. Give me the best deal you ever gave anybody,” Ronda Rousey told The Jim Rome Show. “He literally brought me a deal where I would more per pay-per-view buy than anybody in history. If I hit my historical numbers, I would made as I did in my entire career.”

However, the landscape shifted when the UFC transitioned from the traditional pay-per-view structure to a streaming-based model with Paramount+. As a result, the originally negotiated pay-per-view incentives would no longer apply.

With the fight no longer tied directly to pay-per-view sales, the financial framework changed — and so did the feasibility of the agreement.

Timing proved costly

Rousey also pointed to delays surrounding her anticipated opponent as a critical factor in the collapse of the deal.

“Gina needed more time and it happened to go to the other side of when [the] ESPN deal and their pay-per-view model would be ending.”

That timing ultimately pushed the bout beyond the window in which the original terms could be honored.

What’s next for Ronda Rousey?

Instead of returning to the UFC, Rousey’s long-awaited clash with Gina Carano will now be promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and streamed live on Netflix.

While the door to the Octagon appears closed for now, Ronda Rousey’s remarks shed new light on her relationship with Dana White — one built on mutual respect, but ultimately disrupted by shifting business models and timing.