There was a time when Ronda Rousey was as broke as can be, living out of her car before she made it big in mixed martial arts (MMA). While she is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid athletes in the sport, "Rowdy" isn’t motivated by money.
Unlike other mega combat stars such as UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor and boxing icon Floyd Mayweather — who aren’t afraid to flaunt their millions — Rousey isn’t about that life.
"If money is the motivation, then f*ck that," Rousey said during a recent in-depth interview with ESPN W (via MMA Fighting). "All these Money people. … Money [Floyd] Mayweather, Money [Conor] McGregor. I see they're trying to do an angle or whatever. People buy it. … The worship of money in our society is so deep. But just because that's the easiest way to keep people's attention or entertain them doesn't mean that's the right way."
While she makes plenty of cash, not only in MMA but in other side gigs such as modeling and acting, Ronda knows that if she ever went back to her old days of not having financial freedom, she’d be okay.
Because for her, the end game isn’t being rich, but being happy.
"I've had no money before, and it wasn't the end of the world," she says. The future she dreams of doesn't require much, either: a house in Idaho or Alaska, full of kids, opening an animal sanctuary. "All I need is me and Travis and our little house in the woods, popping out babies and making snowmen and I'm cool, man. Really, I'm good."
While she is slated to make her comeback at UFC 207 against current women’s Bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes on Dec. 30, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada, she could’ve made it much earlier, as she almost headlined UFC 205 on Nov. 12, 2016 in New York.
But, after deciding she needed more time to recuperate from a knee surgery, she declined. Meanwhile, in her absence, the aforementioned McGregor became the company’s top star and eventually headlined the historic PPV event in "The Big Apple," knocking out Eddie Alvarez to become the promotion's first-ever dual weight class champion.
It’s something Ronda is grateful for.
"Conor gave me the chance to rest, he took the weight off my shoulders, and I'm grateful," Rousey said. "I will never put my body at risk for money and views ever again. What makes me happy is winning and being the best in the world and that's it. F*ck all the promotion and energy spent on anything that's not me winning. And anyone who tries to tell me I owe them energy on frivolous sh*t during camp out of 'loyalty' or 'friendship' deserves no loyalty from me and is no friend of mine."
Ans while Ronda would’ve quickly taken the UFC 205 gig to help out Dana White and Co. in the past, Rousey says her mindset has changed.
"This is not a time for f---ing favors. This is a time for redemption and revenge." Will a motivated and well-rested Rousey prove to be too much for Nunes?
Time will tell.