Ronda Rousey has made a striking return to the mixed martial arts scene, not just by announcing her comeback fight, but by openly criticizing her former employer, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She has enthusiastically promoted Netflix’s inaugural live MMA event while simultaneously dismissing the UFC’s upcoming White House show as significantly inferior.
On social media, the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion celebrated the addition of Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins to the May 16 Netflix card, which also features her highly anticipated bout against Gina Carano. Rousey declared the lineup a “bamf laden double headliner,” attributing its strength to prioritizing “fighters and fans ahead of shareholders.” She concluded her message with a blunt assessment: “UFC’s White House card sucks.” This direct statement quickly garnered attention across MMA media, highlighting a pointed jab at her previous promoter and its scheduled June event in Washington, D.C.
Ronda Rousey Hypes Netflix Doubleheader, Blasts UFC’s White House Card
The Netflix event is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated attractions. At 39, Rousey is ending a long hiatus to face fellow pioneer Gina Carano, 43, in a featherweight bout. This fight will headline Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) first MMA show, marking Netflix’s official entry into live mixed martial arts streaming globally for subscribers at no additional cost. Rousey has already been sharing training updates, fueling interest in a dream matchup discussed for over a decade.
Adding further appeal, the event will mark Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA. The former UFC heavyweight champion will battle Brazil’s Philipe Lins in a five-round heavyweight contest under unified rules, making it a powerful co-main event alongside Rousey vs. Carano. Ngannou, with an 18-3 MMA record and 13 knockouts, is returning to the cage after a stint in boxing and a PFL championship victory. Lins, 18-5, is a former PFL tournament winner who left the UFC after a four-fight win streak without securing a new contract. Netflix executives have hailed this lineup as a landmark occasion, with the platform’s VP of Sports describing Rousey, Carano, and Ngannou as “generational icons” leading its first MMA broadcast.
Rousey’s sharp criticism of the UFC stems directly from this contrast in event presentation. The UFC’s “Freedom 250” event, slated for June 14 at the White House to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, is set to feature Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight belt. While technically featuring two championship fights, the card has faced criticism from some fans and fighters. The extended buildup had fueled expectations of appearances by bigger stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, neither of whom were ultimately announced for the event. This perceived lack of top-tier talent, compared to the Netflix lineup, appears to be the core of Rousey’s grievance.
Her public critique also extends from a strained relationship with the UFC, as Rousey previously attempted to negotiate a return to MMA with the promotion but failed to reach terms with Dana White. Her decision to promote MVP’s Netflix show so vehemently is a public manifestation of these unresolved issues.