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“Not Going to Waste My Time” – UFC Icon Ronda Rousey Once Got a Brutal Reality-Check by $1 Million-A-Year Earning Ring Girl

Published 08/11/2022, 10:30 AM EDT

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Having ring girls is a common aspect in many sports; especially in boxing and MMA. Similarly, the UFC always has Octagon Girls in attendance. However, their presence has also been subject to many discussions. Many people are of the opinion they aren’t required. Former UFC star, Ronda Rousey had expressed her displeasure with a particular Octagon Girl once.

As reported by ‘MMA Junkie‘ back in 2015, Octagon Girl, Arianny Celeste, hit back and called Rousey a ‘bully’. She stated, “I think people don’t realize how much work it is to be a model, be a host, be an Octagon Girl.”

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Celeste and Rousey had a history of firing back-and-forth. Hence, the famous Octagon girl said, “I’m not going to waste my time. … It blows my mind that someone who doesn’t even know me continuously picks on me. And that’s all I see her as: a big bully.”

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The squabble between the two personalities took place before Rousey’s fight against Cat Zingano at UFC 184. Interestingly, Celeste was present at the event to continue her Octagon duties.

In addition to this, a while back, Khabib Nurmagomedov too had shared his opinion about ring-girls and used the word ‘useless’ to describe them. As per him, a screen could show which round was going on.

Celeste, once again spoke about it and several other Octagon Girls too supported her. This included Camila Oliveira, Brittney Palmer, Red Dela Cruz, and several others.

How did Ronda Rousey reply to Arianny Celeste?

As reported by ‘MMA Fighting‘, the then-bantamweight champion replied by questioning Celeste’s ‘bully’ statement. Rousey disagreed with it and was of the opinion that fighters should get paid more than them.

As per several reports, the model and Octagon Girl makes around $1 million annually from the UFC.

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However, it was three years prior that their feud started. ‘Rowdy’ took a dig at the UFC’s most tenured Octagon girl after both their names appeared on ‘Maxim Hot 100’. At that time, Rousey was not with the UFC but was fighting for Strikeforce. But she was well known in the MMA world.

Additionally, the fighter revealed she wasn’t against the job. She was of the opinion that the job can be used by women to further themselves in life. She gave the example of Brittney Palmer, who used the money to go to art school. Hence, the Olympic medalist said she has “respect” for Palmer.

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Rousey retired from MMA in 2016 after sustaining two back-to-back T/KO losses in the UFC. Her first loss was to Holly Holm (UFC 193). She returned a year later to face Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 and faced yet another defeat.

Celeste, on the other hand, still works for the famous promotion.

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What do you think about Ronda Rousey’s comments about Celeste? Do you agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Watch this story: Ronda Rousey: 5 Celebrities Who Love Her

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Written by:

Rohini Kottu

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Rohini Kottu is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. She is also a Psychologist and has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Rohini, in her role as a UFC writer, combines her admiration for the mental resilience that MMA fighters have and her love for analysis.
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Edited by:

Paras Pande