Ronda Rousey gets unlikely support from former UFC slugger: “I get where she’s coming from”

A former UFC slugger has been critical of Ronda Rousey, but he’s actually defending “Rowdy” in one regard.

Rousey is scheduled to make her MMA comeback on May 16 under Most Valuable Promotions. She will collide with Gina Carano in the headliner of a card that will air live on Netflix.

Rousey has been critical of UFC while promoting the fight with Carano. She’s taken aim at UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, and has slammed the upcoming Freedom 250 card.

During an edition of MMAFIghting.com‘s “The Fighter vs. The Writer,” Matt Brown showed support for Rousey’s decision to get paid elsewhere.

“There’s no way to truly make a lot of money. Pay-per-view points was how she made the biggest paycheck. I think that was the initial thing that rubbed her the wrong way. She said herself she approached the UFC to fight Gina Carano first and then because of the streaming model, she ends up not going with the UFC and going with Netflix where I guess they’re not doing pay-per-view model there either, but she’s getting however much she’s getting paid.

“But I get where she’s coming from on that, and I don’t think she’s wrong on a lot of things that she’s saying. She’s not the only one saying it. I feel like in the last month or two since Paramount’s come on, I felt more vitriol and anti-UFC than ever before. There is so much negativity and complaining about the UFC lately. It’s crazy.”

Rousey hasn’t stepped inside the cage since late 2016 when she was stopped by Amanda Nunes in 49 seconds. Rousey transitioned to the world of pro wrestling with her WWE run. Rousey won world championships in WWE and she recently appeared at AEW “Revolution 2026.”

Do you think Ronda Rousey made the right choice to have a comeback fight in 2026? Share your opinion below.