During the UFC 321 post-bout press conference, UFC CEO Dana White addressed questions about former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s notable absence from UFC events, offering reassurance about her standing with the organization.
When asked about Rousey’s recent comments regarding her reluctance to attend UFC events, White was unequivocal in his support for the trailblazing icon.
“I love her. I have an incredible relationship with her,” White stated. He went on to clarify Rousey’s welcome status, adding, “obviously she’s welcome to any event. She came to a Power Slap event in Vegas. And she’s welcome to anything that we have. It’s her house will always be her house.”
White’s comments came in response to Rousey’s recent interview where she expressed feeling unwelcome and feared being booed if she attended UFC events.
The former champion, who has been promoting her second book “Our Fight,” has spoken openly about feeling vilified by MMA media following her back-to-back losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016.
The UFC CEO made it clear that Rousey’s absence is a personal choice rather than any issue with the organization itself. “You know that’s a personal thing for her. It doesn’t have anything to do with us or at the UFC,” White explained, distinguishing between Rousey’s personal feelings and her relationship with the company.
Rousey’s impact on the UFC and mixed martial arts cannot be overstated. She was instrumental in convincing Dana White to create a women’s division in the UFC in 2013, becoming the promotion’s first female champion.
Since retiring from MMA after her loss to Nunes in December 2016, Rousey pursued a successful career in professional wrestling with WWE before stepping away from that as well. Her recent book has revealed that a history of concussions played a major role in her decision to leave combat sports.
