Edmond Tarverdyan, former coach of Ronda Rousey, revealed his regret over an alleged multi-million dollar offer that led to a pivotal moment in the ex-champion’s career.
In a new documentary “Dark Side of the Cage,” Tarverdyan discusses how UFC president Dana White reportedly offered Rousey $4.5 million to defend her women’s bantamweight title against Holly Holm at UFC 193 on November 14, 2015. The catch? They would have less than a month to prepare.
“I think we had like 28 or 29 days. It’s so hard for you to compete at that level. You know, in those circumstances. So, I said, ‘Are you asking me should we fight or you already agreed? And she said, ‘You know what I did already,'” Tarverdyan recalled.
The short notice decision proved costly, as Rousey suffered her first professional loss to Holm. For Tarverdyan, the outcome was particularly devastating as it meant breaking a personal vow he had made to his fighter.
“I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I’m sure I said, ‘I love you,'” Tarverdyan remembered. “Just stay strong. The promise I made, you know, that really hurt me. Because when I think about it, when I saw her at the hospital, it was because I made a promise, you know. And it didn’t happen… That she’ll never lose. That’s the hard part.”
Fans can learn more about this chapter in Rousey’s career in “The Disappearance of Ronda Rousey” episode of Dark Side of the Cage, which premiered Wednesday on VICE TV.
