UFC champ Ronda Rousey: 'I'm the highest paid fighter in the UFC'

Women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey claims she is the highest paid fighter on the UFC roster. The precise context of that statement, however, remains a mystery.

“I’m the highest paid fighter in the UFC,” Rousey said an interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which airs today.

Whether Rousey’s statement if based purely on fight purse, or if she is includes sponsorships, pay-per-view revenue and other resources into that figure, is unknown.

It’s likely the latter, though, because in her last disclosed fight purse for her 14-second submission of Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February, Rousey received a payday of $130,000. That’s well below several fighters on the roster, including welterweight Jake Ellenberger, who pocketed $136,000 for his win at the same event.

If Rousey’s claim is accurate, the outside variables undoubtedly make up for a large portion of her pay. UFC champions typically receive a cut of pay-per-view revenue, and with Rousey’s most recent contest, a 34-second knockout of Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in August, reportedly selling roughly 900,000 units, her income from that source is likely significant.

UFC President Dana White has encouraged UFC fighters to keep financial details private the public over the years. With her recent comments, however, Rousey put herself on the pedestal of “highest paid” on a roster with nearly 600 athletes.

Rousey (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will look to haul in another big payday when she returns to the octagon at UFC 193 on Nov. 14. “Rowdy” puts her 135-pound belt up for grabs against fellow undefeated fighter Holly Holm (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) with hopes of her seventh consecutive UFC title defense.

The 28-year-old has been an unstoppable force inside the octagon over her 12-fight professional career. However, Rousey admitted that while she may be near flawless during competition, that’s not always the case outside of it.

Rousey revealed that she’s constantly overcome with emotion during her daily life, but even more so during the week of her fights.

“I’m the biggest crier; especially like fight week when I’m about to fight, I’m the most emotional,” Rousey said. “My last fight I totally cried the day before that. You’re so amped up and it’s like every emotion you could possibly have happens during that week. The most stress, the most anxiety and most pressure possible then the happiest you could be. It’s all these things and sometimes you can’t just hold it in. It’s got to leak out of somewhere, why not your eyes?”

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