Carano bout to 'smash' women's fight pay record - Rousey

Breaking news from the world of sport: Carano bout to 'smash' women's fight pay record - RouseyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ronda Rousey (left) has not fought since 2016, with Gina Carano last competing in 2009ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport JournalistPublished2 hours agoRonda Rousey says her fight with Gina Carano will set a new purse record for female fighters when they meet on Saturday. Rousey, the first woman to be signed by the UFC in 2012 and one of the biggest MMA stars of all time, will fight fellow American Carano at featherweight at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The 39-year-old took aim at the UFC's fighter pay, criticised UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and championed her bout with Carano as a landscape-shifting moment for the sport.

"The biggest money fight is the biggest fight period. And we honestly have very different definitions of greatness. Mine is making history, making a cultural impact and influencing the future of the sport," said Rousey.

Match Details

"I've already won a record eight consecutive title fights, there's nothing left for me to do in UFC. "So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have been paid in combat sports. "Rousey is fighting for the first time in 10 years after retiring following defeat by Amanda Nunes in 2016, and continued her criticism of the UFC in the final news conference.

Her last reported purse in the UFC was $3m, while Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor were reportedly paid about $5m for their trilogy boxing bout last year. All 22 fighters who are competing on the card were on stage to answer questions from the media but Rousey was asked more questions than anyone else. She commanded the audience's attention in trademark fashion as she spoke as a fighter but also a promoter, with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) choosing her to spearhead its debut MMA event, which is being broadcast live on Netflix.

With some of the biggest ex-UFC fighters at the top table with Rousey including Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz, the UFC continues to cast a long shadow over MVP's event. While Rousey said he has no problem with UFC president Dana White, she voiced her unhappiness at how the promotion is being run and predicted the MVP-Netflix partnership could change the future of MMA. "Who can say the success of this fight won't give the competition the UFC needs and give bargaining power back to the fighters?

"I could become the face of MVP and MMA and the most powerful figure in the sport since Dana. "I'm not chasing greatness, I am greatness and people are chasing me. "'More than a fighter' - how Rousey finally found peace Published11 April 2024'Derogatory' Strickland wants Rousey-Carano tickets Published17 hours agoI'd be happy to be Gina's comeback story - RouseyAs she has in the build-up to the fight, Rousey refrained from showing the competitive edge she displayed during her early MMA career and praised Carano.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.