Ronda Rousey has fired back at Khamzat Chimaev over his comments on fighter pay, ahead of her highly anticipated return to the Octagon this weekend. Chimaev recently lost the UFC middleweight title to Robert Whittaker, and Rousey believes he should focus on his own career rather than criticising the organisation.
Rousey will face fellow icon Gina Carano in a highly publicised bout on Saturday, marking her return from retirement. The two women are expected to engage in a fierce battle, with Rousey looking to get back to her winning ways. When asked about Chimaev's comments, Rousey stated 'I'm not sure what Khamzat's problem is, but I think he's just trying to distract from his own loss. I'm not worried about what he has to say, I'm focused on my fight.'
Chimaev's comments on fighter pay sparked a heated debate in the mixed martial arts community, with many fighters weighing in on the issue. Rousey believes that the organisation does enough to support its fighters, and that Chimaev should be grateful for the opportunities he has been given. 'I think the UFC does a great job of taking care of its fighters,' Rousey said. 'I've been fortunate enough to have had a successful career, and I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had.'