UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has publicly addressed and seemingly dismissed the criticisms leveled by former UFC star Ronda Rousey regarding fighter compensation within the organization. Rousey, who is set to return to MMA for an event on May 16th and whose fights will be streamed on Netflix, has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with how the UFC handles fighter pay and support.
In a recent video blog posted to his newly launched YouTube channel, Chimaev suggested that Rousey’s own success and fame were largely a product of the UFC’s platform. He questioned the validity of her complaints, implying that her current stance overlooks the promotional power the UFC provided her during her career.
“There never would have been Ronda Rousey without the UFC,” Chimaev stated in the video. He added, “I hate this. If they pay good or they don’t pay good, who cares? When she was Olympic champ, what did she make then?”
Chimaev’s comments come as he himself prepares for a significant fight. He is scheduled to make the first defense of his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland on May 9th. This return follows his victory over Dricus Du Plessis in August 2025 to claim the 185-pound championship.
Rousey’s recent comments have highlighted the pay disparity between UFC newcomers and fighters on other promotions. She noted that fighters on the upcoming Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) card will receive a guaranteed minimum of $40,000, a figure significantly higher than the reported $10,000 show and $10,000 win bonuses for entry-level UFC fighters.
English Translation and Paraphrased Text:
Khamzat Chimaev recently hit back at Ronda Rousey’s criticism of the UFC’s business practices and fighter compensation. Rousey, who is returning to MMA after nearly a decade to face Gina Carano on May 16th at an event promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and streamed on Netflix, has frequently voiced her dissatisfaction with how the UFC treats its fighters, particularly regarding pay.
In a video posted to his new YouTube channel, Chimaev suggested that Rousey owes much of her success to the UFC, arguing that her global stardom and financial achievements would likely not have been possible without the promotion. He expressed his disdain for such complaints, questioning the relevance of pay issues and even referencing her Olympic career earnings.
“Ronda Rousey wouldn’t exist without the UFC,” Chimaev declared. He continued, “I dislike this. Whether they pay well or not, who is concerned? What did she earn when she was an Olympic champion?”
Chimaev is also slated for a comeback fight next month, defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland on May 9th. His last appearance was in August 2025, where he won the title from Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision.
This exchange occurs amid Rousey’s efforts to highlight better pay structures, such as the guaranteed minimum of $40,000 for fighters on the upcoming MVP card, contrasting it with the lower figures typically offered to new fighters in the UFC.
English Translation (Direct):
Khamzat Chimaev Hits Out At Ronda Rousey Over Her UFC Pay Critique With Blunt Response: “Who Cares?”
Khamzat Chimaev recently took a swipe at Ronda Rousey over her criticism of how the UFC conducts its business.
“Rowdy” is set to end her near decade-long absence from MMA when she faces fellow veteran Gina Carano in a five-round featherweight bout booked as the main event of Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) debut MMA show on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. The card will also mark the first live MMA event to be streamed on Netflix.
With her return on the horizon, Ronda Rousey has repeatedly taken aim at her former promoters in the UFC, openly criticizing how fighters are compensated and supported. Much of her frustration has been directed at pay issues, as she has made it a point to call out the promotion at every opportunity.
The UFC Hall of Famer also revealed that fighters competing on the MVP MMA card on May 16 will earn a guaranteed minimum of $40,000, with similar pay structures expected for future events. In contrast, entry-level UFC fighters are still widely reported to earn $10,000 to show and an additional $10,000 to win.
Khamzat Chimaev Brushes Off Ronda Rousey’s UFC Fighter Pay Criticism
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev recently launched his YouTube channel, with his first video centered on preparations for his upcoming fight while also taking a moment to address Ronda Rousey’s recent criticism of the promotion.
While it wasn’t clear what prompted the discussion, “Borz” suggested that Rousey owes much of her success to the UFC, arguing that she likely wouldn’t have reached the same level of fame or financial success without the promotion elevating her into a global star during her tenure in the organization.
“There never would have been Ronda Rousey without the UFC,” Chimaev said in a new video blog posted to his YouTube channel. “I hate this. If they pay good or they don’t pay good, who cares? When she was Olympic champ, what did she make then?”
Like Rousey, Chimaev is also gearing up for a return next month, where he will make the first defense of his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328, set for May 9 at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey.
“Borz” was last seen in action at UFC 319 in August 2025, where he captured the 185-pound title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Dricus Du Plessis.
