Former UFC star Jessica-Rose Clark has made headlines not just for her unique living situation, but also for her principled stance on pay after turning down what she considered an insulting offer to compete in Power Slap. The Australian star’s story reveals the financial realities many combat sports athletes face, even those who reached the upper echelons of the UFC.
Living in a Renovated Bus with Her Animals
Jessica-Rose Clark has embraced an unconventional lifestyle, living in a renovated bus with her two blue heeler dogs and a cat in the Bay Area of Northern California. During her appearance on the Mike Perry Overdogs podcast, where she discussed her upcoming bout at Dirty Boxing on June 14th, Clark opened up about her unique living arrangement.
“I live in a bus with the two dogs and a cat still,” Clark revealed. The Australian star has put her personal touch on her mobile home, creating a space that reflects her personality. “I’ve renovated the whole thing, so it’s very Jesse. Like the inside’s all pink and wood and colorful and girly,” she explained.
Clark‘s decision to live in an RV park is partly due to the high cost of living in the Bay Area.
“It’s so expensive here that to even get a one-bedroom apartment is like three grand. And I still pay way too much to live at the RV park, but it’s cheaper than getting an apartment,”
she said.
This isn’t a temporary arrangement for Clark. While she previously had to relocate frequently, she now enjoys more stability.
“I actually haven’t moved in a while, which has been really nice. I used to have to move every three weeks.”
When not training, Clark enjoys riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which she recently had custom painted.
Turning Down a $5,000 Power Slap Offer
Despite her modest living situation, Clark demonstrated that she won’t compromise her worth when she revealed turning down an opportunity to rematch Paige VanZant in Power Slap due to insufficient compensation.
“I got offered it against her in power slap. Those fools were going to pay me five grand. I said, I’m not rematching Paige Vanzant for five grand,”
Clark stated firmly during the podcast appearance.
The rejection of the lowball offer highlights her understanding of her own value in the combat sports marketplace. Clark, who was ranked as high as number seven during her UFC tenure, has clear standards for what she considers appropriate compensation for her experience and accomplishments.
“I’ve been offered a couple of contracts over the last two years that I turned down because they just weren’t paying me or looking after me the way I feel like I deserve,” Clark explained. “I’ve been fighting for 15 years. I was ranked number seven in the UFC. I’ve put in the time, I’ve put in the effort.”
Since leaving the UFC, Clark has remained active and successful in combat sports, though not in mixed martial arts.
“I have three finishes and a decision win and a world title. All in Muay Thai,”
she clarified, correcting the podcast hosts who had incomplete information about her recent career.
The star described her current career phase as “completing side quests” while doing “things that make me happy.” This approach has allowed her to compete in disciplines she’s passionate about while maintaining her standards for fair compensation.
Clark expressed excitement about competing in Dirty Boxing, viewing it as the perfect rule set for her skills.
“Years ago, like a decade ago, I fought in a similar style back home in Australia… I was like, damn, I wish I could throw elbows. And then when you guys created dirty boxing, I was like, that’s perfect.”
The Australian chose to sign with Dirty Boxing because they offered a contract that properly valued her experience and accomplishments, unlike the Power Slap offer she rejected.
Potential VanZant Rematch on the Horizon
Clark hinted at a potential high-profile rematch with Paige VanZant, but in a promotion that would properly compensate both. The Australian, who now competes at 135 pounds, suggested that a rematch with VanZant could potentially happen in Dirty Boxing.
“I gotta be honest, I think there’s a rematch that has been many, many years in the making between me and Paige,” Clark said. “It was put to the table with Bellator for a little while and then we talked about boxing… I know she said she wanted to do dirty boxing. Maybe that’s the place where we finally get our rematch.”
Considering VanZant has been sidelined with a serious medical condition, this rematch likely won’t materialize any time soon.
Clark will return to action at Dirty Boxing on June 14th, where she expressed excitement about the promotion’s ruleset that allows elbows, a weapon she’s been eager to utilize in a stand-up format.
