UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev didn’t hold back in response to Ronda Rousey’s recent harsh criticism of the promotion.
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey is weeks away from her highly anticipated return to Mixed Martial Arts after a 10-year absence. Rousey and fellow women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano headline a stacked card on Netflix next month, featuring the returns of Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, and former UFC heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou.
Ahead of her return to the cage, Rousey has been especially critical of her former employers, specifically when it comes to discussing UFC fighter pay. Rousey recently labeled the UFC a lower-class organization in modern combat sports and has repeatedly poked fun at the upcoming White House card.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan and several other fighters have praised Rousey for her hard-line stance against the promotion in recent weeks. But one current UFC star, middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, took the opposite route.
Khamzat Chimaev: Ronda Rousey ‘ungrateful’ with UFC fighter pay criticism
In a recent Vlog posted to his YouTube channel, Chimaev weighed in on Rousey’s recent remarks about the UFC.
“I hate it, ungrateful,” Chimaev said of Rousey’s comments.
“If they pay good or they don’t, who cares? When she was an Olympic champ, what did she make then? Zero.”
Rousey is likely one of the highest earners in UFC history. At the height of her stardom, Rousey was a global superstar and arguably the face of MMA during her reign as women’s bantamweight champion.
UFC fighter pay remains a hot-button topic in combat sports. Several top names, including Ngannou, have criticized UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers for how they approach contract negotiations.
Ahead of his UFC 328 headliner vs. Sean Strickland, Chimaev is taking a hard-line stance against Rousey’s comments.
What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland? Let us know in the comments!