‘Peanuts and Pennies’: Ronda Rousey

Post By DJ Longers
March 11, 2026

‘Peanuts and Pennies’: Ronda Rousey Blasts UFC Pay Structure, Defends Fighters’ Turn to OnlyFans

LOS ANGELES — The "Baddest Woman on the Planet" is pulling no punches against her former employer. Ronda Rousey, the Hall of Fame pioneer who arguably put women’s MMA on the global map, issued a blistering critique of the UFC’s pay structure Tuesday, claiming the promotion's compensation model is forcing elite athletes into "desperate" financial corners.

Speaking on the prizefighting circuit promotional tour for her latest memoir, the 39-year-old former bantamweight champion addressed the growing trend of active UFC fighters launching OnlyFans accounts to supplement their income, a move she says is a direct indictment of the organization's leadership.

“A Billion-Dollar Engine Running on Fumes”

Rousey, who was once the highest-paid athlete in the UFC during her reign from 2012 to 2015, argued that while the sport has grown into a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse, the "entry-level and mid-tier" fighters are being left behind in a pre-2010 economy.

“It’s embarrassing,” Rousey told a crowd of reporters. “You have people literally putting their lives, their brains, and their futures on the line for what? $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win? After you pay your coaches, your sparring partners, and your taxes, you’re basically fighting for free. The UFC is a billion-dollar engine running on the fumes of fighters who can’t afford health insurance.”

The OnlyFans “Survival” Strategy

The comments arrive as a wave of high-profile fighters—including names like Paige VanZant, Felice Herrig, and several current Top-10 contenders—have moved toward subscription-based adult content platforms to secure their financial futures.

While some traditionalists in the MMA community have criticized the move as "distracting" from the sport, Rousey offered a staunch defense of the athletes' autonomy.

No Blame: “I don’t blame them one bit,” Rousey stated. “If the company that is supposed to value your skills as a world-class athlete won't pay you a living wage, you have to find a way to monetize your brand yourself. They’re taking control of their own images because the UFC sure as hell isn't sharing the PPV [pay-per-view] points with them.”
The Double Standard: Rousey pointed out the irony of the promotion's marketing, which often highlights the "glamour" of its stars while keeping them on restrictive, exclusive contracts that prevent outside sponsorships.

The Antitrust Shadow

Rousey’s remarks carry extra weight in 2026, as the UFC continues to navigate the fallout of the long-running Le vs. Zuffa antitrust litigation. Although the promotion settled a major portion of the suit in late 2024, the conversation surrounding "fighter share of revenue", estimated to be around 13–20% compared to the 50% seen in the NBA or NFL, remains the most volatile topic in the sport.

UFC President Dana White has historically dismissed such criticisms, often noting that "fighters get paid what they're worth" and highlighting the performance bonuses frequently handed out after events. However, the "Rousey Effect"—the voice of the woman who essentially built the female divisions—is expected to embolden active fighters to speak out.

Legacy vs. Labor

Since retiring from MMA and transitioning into a successful WWE career and Hollywood, Rousey has become increasingly vocal about the "meat grinder" nature of the combat sports industry.

“I love the sport, but I hate the business,” Rousey concluded. “I want the girls coming up now to have the same opportunities I had to become millionaires without having to sell anything other than their skill in that cage. Right now, that’s just not the reality for 90% of the roster.”

As the UFC prepares for its landmark UFC 310 event next month, the shadow of fighter pay continues to loom larger than the fights themselves.