Ronda 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 [Harrison] honestly have very different definitions of greatness. Mine is making history, making a cultural impact and influencing the future of the sport," said Rousey.
"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?" said Rousey.
"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
Carano, 44, was the first woman alongside Cris Cyborg in 2009 to headline a card in a major MMA promotion, but retired shortly after.
"If anyone can steal my happiness, I'd be happy for it to be Gina because she inspired me when I was sitting on the couch one day, and I've never been able to give back to her," said Rousey.
"If she gets the greatest comeback story of all time I'd be happy to be part of it."
Carano revealed she suffered with her mental health and gained a lot of weight after being fired from The Mandalorian in 2021, where she worked as an actress.
"I've worked so hard. Having Ronda as the goal got me out of bed every morning," said Carano.
"I've pictured the fight, I can't see it going any other way, having my hand raised. As sick as I was a year and a half ago, I feel this is already a victory."
Also on the card, former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou takes on Philipe Lins and fan favourite Diaz faces Mike Perry, but they have mostly taken a backseat to Rousey and Carano in fight week.
With organisers aiming to set a new record for the most watched MMA event of all time, it remains to be seen if the Rousey-fronted venture can indeed step out of the UFC's shadow.
Rousey first approached the UFC to stage her comeback, but couldn't agree terms with White and the hierarchy.
"When I first sat down in that [UFC] office and I was lactating [after giving birth], [they] didn't think I was to be taken seriously," she said.
"I think they're regretting not making it happen now."
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