Khamzat Chimaev has responded curtly to Ronda Rousey’s recent criticisms regarding the UFC’s business practices and fighter compensation. Rousey, who is set to make her return to MMA after nearly a decade against Gina Carano on May 16th at Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) debut event, has been vocal about perceived shortcomings in how the UFC treats and pays its athletes. She highlighted that fighters on the MVP card would receive a guaranteed minimum of $40,000, contrasting it with the widely reported $10,000 to show/$10,000 to win for entry-level UFC fighters.
Chimaev, in a video on his newly launched YouTube channel, suggested that Rousey’s own success and fame were significantly shaped by the UFC. He questioned her current stance on fighter pay by asking about her earnings as an Olympic champion. Chimaev argued that without the UFC’s platform, Rousey might not have achieved the same global recognition or financial success.
The middleweight champion is also preparing for his own upcoming fight, defending his title against Sean Strickland on May 9th at UFC 328. Chimaev’s last appearance was in August 2025, where he secured the middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Dricus Du Plessis.
Khamzat Chimaev Responds to Ronda Rousey’s UFC Fighter Pay Criticisms
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has offered a blunt retort to Ronda Rousey’s recent critiques of the UFC’s fighter pay and business operations. Rousey, who is preparing for her MMA comeback against Gina Carano on May 16th, has been openly critical of the promotion’s compensation structure. She noted that fighters on her upcoming event, part of Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) debut MMA show, would earn a minimum of $40,000, a figure significantly higher than the commonly reported starting pay for UFC fighters.
In a video shared on his new YouTube channel, Chimaev downplayed Rousey’s concerns, suggesting that her own career trajectory was heavily influenced by the UFC. He implied that her widespread fame and financial success were largely a product of the promotion’s efforts to elevate her into a global star. Chimaev directly questioned the relevance of her current complaints by asking about her earnings during her Olympic career, stating, “There never would have been Ronda Rousey without the UFC. 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, like Rousey, is also slated for a return to action next month. He will make the first defense of his middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9th. His most recent outing was in August 2025 at UFC 319, where he defeated Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision to claim the 185-pound belt.