SUMMARY
- Ronda Rousey's unsigned UFC contract reveals her desire for a specific clause addressing a potential fight with Cris Cyborg.
- The unsealed document suggests that UFC might have been the obstacle in making the Rousey vs. Cyborg fight happen.
Ronda Rousey, widely known as “Rowdy,” made history in 2012 as the first woman to sign with the UFC, quickly establishing herself as a formidable fighter with the ability to swiftly finish bouts. She held the Women’s Bantamweight Championship for three years until Holly Holm defeated her in 2015.
Throughout her championship tenure, Rousey faced nearly every contender in her weight class, but a much-anticipated super fight never materialized. The dream matchup fans longed for was Rousey versus Cris Cyborg. However, the challenge was not just the weight difference – Cyborg is approximately 10 lbs heavier than Rousey – but also speculations surrounding Rousey’s reluctance.
However, a recent development in the matter reveals details of Ronda Rousey’s unsigned contract with multiple revisions. It might also mean that UFC was the culprit in denying Ronda Rousey a condition that could have led to the fight taking place. According to one of the recently unsealed documents that Bloody Elbow and John S. Nash have obtained, Ronda Rousey wanted separate negotiations for Cris Cyborg’s fight.
The contract noted Rousey and her team’s desire for a specific clause addressing any potential bout with Cris Cyborg. While Rousey asked for escalating pay that capped at $500,000 to show and $500,000 to win if she won all five fights, she wanted a separate deal for any PPV bouts and a fight with Cyborg, specifically.
They wrote down on the contract, “Does not apply to any PPV bout for which shall be separately negotiated.” It went on to say “Fee + share of PPV revenue to fighter + any fight w/ Cyborg shall be separately negotiated.” It remains a topic of debate whether the potential Rousey vs. Cyborg clash could have materialized, adding an intriguing layer to Rousey’s storied career in the UFC.
Cris Cyborg facing Ronda Rousey was never UFC’s ultimate goal
Cris Cyborg is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist. She has fought in the UFC, Bellator MMA, Strikeforce & Invicta FC. Many consider Cyborg as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time.
Cris Cyborg maintained that the UFC never truly showed genuine interest in orchestrating a fight between her and Ronda Rousey. Fans anticipated a showdown between both fighters, considering them among the biggest female stars in MMA history for years. Despite challenges like varied organizations and weight classes, Cyborg signed with the UFC in 2016. This sparked anticipation for the much-awaited clash.
However, Rousey fought once more before retiring, and the matchup never materialized. “In the beginning, when [I signed with the UFC], I think they knew it was something I wanted for me to sign with them. But now if I stop and think about it, I think it was never the goal.” Cyborg said on The MMA Hour in the episode that aired on May 3, 2022.
“I think it was never the goal to make this fight happen. Because they had the opportunity. They had the opportunity to make this fight. Maybe they were protecting her, maybe she didn’t want to fight and you cannot force her, but I think it was never the goal.” She further added on the topic.
The disappointment with the UFC did not end with the Rousey fight falling through. Cyborg had a strained relationship with the organization, particularly with UFC President Dana White. Following her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232, tensions escalated. Consequently, she faced Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 before eventually parting ways with the UFC and joining Bellator.
Do you think that UFC denied fans a chance to see the 2 glorified MMA fighters go at each other? Who would have come out on top if Rowdy vs Cyborg had materialized? Let us know in the comments below.