Joe Rogan Supports Ronda Rousey's UFC Criticisms: 'It Puts Pressure on the UFC'

Ronda Rousey's recent strong criticism of the UFC regarding their fighter compensation and perceived lack of respect for athletes has garnered significant backing from podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

While the UFC has long been the premier organization in mixed martial arts, Rogan believes that its dominance could be challenged if Netflix seriously commits to the sport. He speculates that Netflix, known for its substantial financial resources, could become a significant competitor, potentially altering the landscape of fighter pay.

Rousey, ahead of her upcoming May 16 Netflix MMA event against Gina Carano, publicly lambasted her former employers. Rogan found her arguments compelling, questioning whether Netflix's entry could introduce much-needed competition into the fight industry.

"Ronda Rousey, she's promoting the Netflix fight," Rogan noted. "She delivered a lengthy speech about the UFC's multi-billion dollar valuation and how fighters aren't earning enough. She made valid points, and crucially, she's sparking a conversation that puts pressure on the UFC to improve fighter compensation."

Rogan acknowledged that the Rousey vs. Carano event is currently a one-off and somewhat of a "gimmicky" spectacle. However, he emphasized Netflix's ability to "throw around a lot of ridiculous money" due to its vast earnings. The key question, for Rogan, is whether Netflix intends to host more than just this initial event.

Ronda Rousey's highly anticipated return to the cage against Gina Carano has been a decade in the making. The event's appeal is strong enough on its own, yet it will also feature other prominent fighters, including Francis Ngannou facing Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz battling Mike Perry. The inclusion of these major names has led Rogan to consider Netflix a genuine contender in the MMA space, provided they continue to sign well-known martial artists.

"If they do this more than once, it all comes down to the fighters' names, much like boxing," Rogan explained. "In boxing, nobody really cares about the promotion; they care about who's fighting whom. So, if Netflix can replicate that boxing model with big-name stars, they could become a major player, which would universally elevate everyone's pay scale."

Addressing potential criticism of Rousey for speaking out against her former promotion, Rogan defended her stance: "If what she's saying makes sense, then you have to acknowledge she has a point. They sold it for seven billion dollars, or whatever the deal was. If she's making sense, and Netflix listens—if a shrewd businessman sees that many fighter contracts are nearing expiration—they could initiate negotiations. Then, suddenly, some fighters might start moving over."

Rogan suggested that if top talent, such as Islam Makhachev, were to leave the UFC and fight for Netflix, and if Netflix could convince "four or five top major contenders" to do the same, it would be a game-changer. He believes Netflix is uniquely positioned to achieve this due to its "massive promotional machine," but stressed that "they need big names" to succeed.