UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has responded pointedly to Ronda Rousey’s recent criticisms regarding the UFC’s business practices and fighter compensation. Rousey, preparing for her return to MMA after a nearly decade-long hiatus to face Gina Carano on May 16th, has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with how the UFC handles fighter pay and support.
Rousey has highlighted that fighters on the upcoming Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event will receive a guaranteed minimum of $40,000. This stands in contrast to the reported $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win for entry-level UFC fighters.
In a video posted to his new YouTube channel, Chimaev suggested that Rousey’s considerable fame and financial success were largely a product of the UFC’s platform. He questioned the relevance of her current pay concerns, stating, “There never would have been Ronda Rousey without the UFC. I hate this. If they pay good or they don’t pay good, who cares? When she was Olympic champ, what did she make then?”
Chimaev himself is also preparing for a significant fight, set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9th. His last appearance was a dominant victory over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.
English Translation:
Khamzat Chimaev Responds to Ronda Rousey’s Criticism of UFC Fighter Pay: “Who Cares?”
Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC middleweight champion, has delivered a blunt response to Ronda Rousey’s recent critiques of the UFC’s operational methods and fighter compensation. Rousey, who is slated to end her nearly ten-year absence from MMA by fighting fellow veteran Gina Carano on May 16th, has been openly critical of the UFC’s approach to fighter pay and support.
Rousey has pointed out that fighters on the upcoming Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) MMA card are guaranteed a minimum of $40,000. This contrasts with the reported $10,000 to show and an additional $10,000 to win for fighters at the entry level in the UFC.
In a recent video blog on his newly launched YouTube channel, Chimaev expressed his view that Rousey owes a significant portion of her success and fame to the UFC. He questioned the significance of her current concerns about fighter pay, remarking, “There never would have been Ronda Rousey without the UFC. I hate this. If they pay good or they don’t pay good, who cares? When she was Olympic champ, what did she make then?”
Chimaev is also preparing for his own return next month, where he will defend his middleweight championship for the first time against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9th. His last fight was a decisive unanimous decision win over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025.
