At a press conference in Los Angeles on March 10, 2026, Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul of Most Valuable Promotions sharply criticized the UFC's business practices and fighter compensation while promoting the upcoming Rousey vs. Gina Carano MMA bout. Rousey described the UFC as one of the worst places to make a living, highlighting its $7.7 billion valuation and shift toward shareholder priorities. The event underscores growing discontent among former UFC figures as MVP launches its first MMA card on Netflix.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) held its inaugural MMA press conference on March 10, 2026, in Los Angeles to announce the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight scheduled for May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, airing live on Netflix. The co-main event features Francis Ngannou against Philipe Lins. While promoting the card, speakers focused heavily on grievances against the UFC, with Rousey leading the charge.
Rousey, a former UFC women's bantamweight champion, described UFC CEO Dana White as "loyal to a fault" but blamed the promotion's parent company, TKO, for prioritizing shareholders over fighters and quality matchups. "This company just did $7.7 billion," she said, "there’s no reason they can’t afford to pay their athletes at least a living wage." She added that the UFC's move to a streaming model has made it "barely recognizable," no longer focused on the best fights. Rousey also referenced former champion Valentina Shevchenko selling content on OnlyFans due to insufficient pay, and claimed White knows the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14 "sucks" and fell short of expectations after heavy hype.
MVP co-founder Jake Paul echoed these sentiments, calling the MMA landscape the "wild west" and stating, "I believe the UFC is dying and MVP is here to take over." He criticized the UFC for struggling to create stars and book exciting fights due to low spending, noting that figures like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor are not competing consistently. Paul described the Freedom 250 lineup, featuring Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira against lesser opponents, as disappointing, with the White House itself as the main draw.
Ngannou, who left the UFC in 2023 for a better deal with the PFL before his recent release, defended his choices by prioritizing family security over legacy. "Keep the legacy. Give me my pay, what I deserve," he said, emphasizing fighters' rights as independent contractors to seek better options. He supported Jones, who sought release after a reported lowball offer for the White House event amid injury concerns.
Gina Carano, returning to MMA after a Hollywood career, announced her marriage to fighter Kevin Ross during the event but largely deferred to Rousey's comments. The press conference highlighted broader unrest, including Tom Aspinall hiring promoter Eddie Hearn and siding with Jones against UFC decisions.
