MMA-Rousey launches Netflix comeback fight with sharp words for UFC

LOS ANGELES, California, March 10 : Ronda Rousey used the launch of her long-awaited comeback fight to deliver a sweeping broadside against the UFC on Tuesday, accusing the organisation of failing its fighters financially as she announced her May 16 return to MMA against her fellow pioneer in the sport Gina Carano on Netflix.

"It used to be that UFC was the best place you could come in combat sports to make a living and be paid fairly," the 39-year-old Rousey said at a kickoff press conference. "And now it's one of the worst places to go."

Rousey - who made history as the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo when she claimed bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games - emphasised her disillusionment with the UFC's current state.

Her comments follow a week of public disputes, notably Jon Jones' request to leave the UFC after being excluded from its White House event scheduled for June 14 amid contract disagreements.

"A lot of them (fighters), at the ground level, can't even support their families. They're living at poverty level fighting full time.

"And this company just got 7.7 billion dollars. They're thinking about the next quarter. They're thinking about the shareholders," Rousey added.

She was referring to Paramount's seven-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of all UFC events, ending the traditional pay-per-view model as of January.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, set to face Brazil's Philipe Lins in the co-main event after a 19-month break from MMA, echoed Rousey's sentiments.

"We are not an employee. We are independent contractor(s), and we should be able to get what we deserve," he said. "I'm happy I'm out of that."

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Jake Paul, who was also in