Ronda Rousey has unleashed a torrent of criticism aimed at UFC executive Hunter Campbell, with her pointed remarks surfacing just days before her highly anticipated return to mixed martial arts against Gina Carano on May 16th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Rousey, 39, who carries a 12-2 professional record, will be stepping back into the octagon for the first time since her 2016 loss to Amanda Nunes. Carano, also making a comeback after an extended hiatus, boasts a 7-1 fight record.
Ronda Rousey Criticizes Hunter Campbell Regarding Gina Carano Fight on Netflix
During an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Rousey detailed her frustration with failed UFC negotiations for the fight. She stated that Campbell had allegedly dismissed the proposed matchup, deeming fighters above 145 pounds as “worthless” and suggesting that such bouts could potentially lead to the dissolution of the women’s featherweight division. Rousey recalled Campbell’s tenure as an intern during her own time with the UFC, noting his current position as Chief Business Officer. She claimed he questioned her and Carano’s ability to perform due to their age, expressing her indignation:
“We are glorified bum fights to this guy. This guy does not have a job because he’s good at it, he has a job because he is Dana and Lorenzo’s lawyer’s son. He was fucking intern when I was there before and now he’s coming up to me saying, ‘I don’t know how you and Gina are going to do.’ Like motherfucker I’m gonna put on a bigger fight with Gina than you have your entire fucking career. Keep trying to fail upwards motherfucker. Keep trying to suck the right dicks in the right order. I’m fucking coming for your job.”
Campbell joined the UFC full-time in 2017 as general counsel, following a stint at the law firm Campbell & Williams. He initially interned with the UFC in 2006 and later served as Dana White’s personal attorney. Promoted to Chief Business Officer in 2019, Campbell is instrumental in managing fighter contracts, matchmaking, visa arrangements, and significant partnerships, such as the one with ESPN. Dana White himself refers to Campbell as his “wartime consigliere.”
According to Rousey, UFC President Dana White was supportive of a fight between Rousey and Carano for the vacant women’s featherweight title; however, Campbell allegedly prevented it. The two fighters have never competed in the UFC, with past negotiations collapsing years ago, reportedly initiated by a text message from White. Carano departed from MMA following a 2009 loss, transitioning to a successful acting career in films like “Haywire” and “Deadpool,” and portraying Cara Dune in “The Mandalorian” until her dismissal in 2021 due to social media posts. She reached a settlement with Disney regarding a lawsuit in 2025.
Rousey played a pivotal role in the establishment of women’s MMA within the UFC but eventually retired after suffering two consecutive defeats. She also had a previous career in WWE, and she has indicated that this upcoming fight may be her final professional bout.
This bout will serve as the headline event for MVP MMA 1, the inaugural event presented by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The event will be streamed live on Netflix, with the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET. Preliminary fights will begin at 6 p.m. ET and will be available on Netflix Tudum and MVP’s YouTube channel. The undercard also features several notable matchups, including Francis Ngannou vs. Philippe Lins, Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, Junior dos Santos vs. Robel Despaigne, and Muhammad Mokaev vs. Adriano Moraes.