The Ronda Rousey contract conundrum is showing no signs of slowing. Now, Sports Illustrated is reporting that the media misreported the amount of fights on Rousey‘s contract; it’s a six-fight deal, not an eight-fight one.
This isn’t the first time there was conflict over Rousey‘s UFC deal.
First, her pay was reported to be $75,000 to show and $75,000 to win. If true, this would dwarf the paychecks for many a fighter. The news caused quite a stir among fans, especially since Rousey would be making more than six times as much her opponent Liz Carmouche, who is supposedly only making $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win.
UFC president Dana White was his usual livid self when he heard the rumors.
“[M]ma interviews whoever the hell they are is full of s***,” he said on the famed MMA message board, The Underground.
One can only wonder what Dana White will have to think of Sports Illustrated’s recent report, especially since it implies that Rousey will seek even more money from the UFC as time goes on.
“Rousey’s team wanted the shorter deal,” the anonymous source told Sports Illustrated. “Her camp believes her celebrity—and thus, earning power—will skyrocket with each win. The greater her popularity, the more leverage Rousey will have to command more money. The shorter contract will allow her to renegotiate and cash in more quickly.”
MMA conspiracy theorists might attribute Rousey‘s desire for a shorter contract to wanting to go the Hollywood route. Why risk getting brutalized when you can quit after fighting six people and then be a movie star for the rest of your days?
All we know for sure is that the Ronda Rousey saga has six more fights to unfold. And if there’s been this much drama before she’s even stepped into the Octagon, it’s going to be quite a ride.
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