Rousey agrees to short-term contract for greater long-term financial gain

Former judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey has dominated her six fights in mixed martial arts. Her new UFC contract could earn her unforeseen money.

Neil Davidson/AP

On a day in which both UFC president Dana White and Ronda Rousey's manager Darin Harvey are busily refuting a recent report about Ronda Rousey's new contract, SI.com has learned of another misreported fact.

While White and Harvey are denying that Rousey has agreed to $75,000 per fight and a $75,000 win bonus in her contract, SI.com has learned from a source close to the negotiations that Rousey has signed on to fight six bouts instead of the initially reported eight.

Rousey's team wanted the shorter deal, the source says, because her camp believes her celebrity ? and thus, earning power ?will skyrocket with each win. The greater her popularity, the more leverage Rousey will have to command more money. The shorter contract will allow her to renegotiate and cash in more quickly.

The source admits the shorter-contract strategy is a gamble, but Rousey's record (6-0 professionally, with each win coming in the first round via armbar), makes her a relatively safe bet.

Harvey refuted that Rousey signed an eight-fight deal but declined to provide any more details of his client's contract. UFC spokesman Chris Costello said it is against UFC policy to disclose contract information.

The 25-year-old Californian and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist was crowned the UFC's first female champion last month in Las Vegas. Rousey and former Marine Liz Carmouche will star in the first female fight in UFC history on Feb. 23 when they headline UFC 156 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.