Dana White: Ronda Rousey can ‘have as much time off as she wants’

UFC president Dana White said Ronda Rousey can “have as much time off as she wants.”

UFC president Dana White told Evan Doherty of Yahoo Sports! that former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey can “have as much time off as she wants.”

Rousey will star in the upcoming film Roadhouse, and has asked for time off from the UFC due to a scheduling change.

“This woman has done so much in the last three, three and a half years for the UFC, for the sport, for the women’s division,” White said. “She’s been working non-stop, like 30 jobs. What this woman has accomplished is incredible. If she wants time off, she can have as much time off as she wants. ”

Rousey, who was knocked out by Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November, will not fight at UFC 200 in July, as was originally anticipated.

• Rousey opens up about UFC 193 loss to Holly Holm

“Ronda means a lot to the UFC and to the sport, as an everything,” White continued. “Everything this woman does, she’s incredible. She’s an unbelievable athlete, personality, friend, partner, you name it. Ronda Rousey is amazing.”

When asked if Rousey is a bigger star than Conor McGregor, White weighed in.

“Yeah, Ronda Rousey is the biggest star in the UFC,” White said. “But let me tell you what, Conor McGregor is nipping at her heels.”

Rousey lost her first career UFC match on Nov. 14 to Holm, who will fight one more time before facing Rousey in a rematch later this year.

- Kayla Lombardo