UFC commentator Joe Rogan is backing Ronda Rousey’s recent public criticism of fighter pay.
Speaking on his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan addressed remarks Rousey made at a press conference for her upcoming fight against Gina Carano, which will stream on Netflix.
“It used to be that UFC was the best place you could come in combat sports to make a living and be paid fairly,” Rousey told reporters, via MMA Junkie. “It’s now one of the worst places to go.”
Rogan validated her position.
“She had this big, long speech about the UFC (partnering with Paramount) for $7 billion, and these fighters aren’t making enough money – look, she made some good points,” he said, via YouTube. “The most important thing is she gets the conversation out there, and it puts pressure on the UFC to pay people more.”
Rogan also suggested that streaming platforms with substantial financial resources could disrupt the sport by targeting UFC fighters with expiring contracts.
“If what she’s saying makes sense, then you have to go, ‘She’s got a point,’” Rogan said. “If she’s saying this and Netflix listens and if someone comes along, and they’re a shrewd businessman, they go looking (and see) there’s a lot of (UFC fighters) whose contracts are coming up.”
Rousey faces Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Most Valuable Promotions is organizing the event.