The main credit for the success of UFC goes to the collaboration of Dana White and the Fertitta brothers. They managed to take the promotion from bankruptcy to a multi-billion dollar business. However, White is well aware of how fighters like Ronda Rousey changed the game and brought in incredible business.
In return, UFC paid Ronda Rousey millions of dollars and made her a superstar. In a recent interview with Shaquille O’Neal in his podcast, White discussed how UFC and Rousey mutually grew. White revealed the financial success Rousey got in the promotion and how it changed her life altogether.
Ronda went from living in her car to being so extremely wealthy that she doesn’t have to work. She doesn’t have to do anything. She got a great life. She’s got like 3 or 4 houses in great places and all these things
Dana White via The Big Podcast with Shaq
As the first female champion, Ronda Rousey greatly increased the popularity of the UFC. She did that by drawing the attention of fight fans to women’s mixed martial arts. Before that, Dana White had never thought of women’s fighting ever succeeding in the promotion. Rousey’s charisma, dominance, and appeal to a wider audience in movies and wrestling helped the sport gain more viewers.
She also inspired a new generation of female fighters, many of whom are now competing in the UFC. White also said the same thing about Conor McGregor who did the same thing as Rousey but became ten times more successful. While Rousey is glad for the platform she got in the UFC, she also couldn’t deny the negative impact that came with it.
Ronda Rousey talks about the pressure she felt during her time in the UFC
Ronda Rousey’s downfall in the UFC was rather rapid. The fighter went from being one of the biggest superstars to losing two consecutive fights and leaving the promotion. During a recent interview, Dana White revealed that Rousey’s lack of evolution during her time in the UFC resulted in her collapse.
Ronda Rousey reveals the real reason for her UFC downfall (via Imago)Rousey also felt the same and recently talked about the load of responsibility she took upon herself during her time in the promotion. According to Rowdy, she promised White to bring a revolution and wasn’t satisfied no matter what.
I had to be everything to everyone. I had to promote as hard as I trained, and because I did that, that’s why we got as far as we are today. I didn’t just make it about me and my performances and picking and choosing my fights, about when it would work best for me. That’s why we were so successful. That’s why the sport had never been hotter. It was because of that work.
Ronda Rousey via SHAK MMA
Rousey has also revealed that she left the UFC spotlight due to the unwarranted criticism she got from the MMA media. After leaving UFC, Rousey joined WWE and did the exact same thing and got enormous success in entertainment wrestling. Irrespective of everything it is safe to say that Rousey has had a massive role in the success of UFC and Dana White.
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