Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, ex-manager amicably settle lawsuit
A bitter dispute between Ronda Rousey and her former manager, Darin Harvey of Fight Tribe Management, was settled amicably, Rousey and Harvey announced jointly in a news release on Monday.
According to the release, "FTM and Rousey had been in litigation over the terms of their management agreement since March 2014, shortly after Rousey and Harvey parted ways."
Rousey signed Harvey as her manager in 2010, as Rousey was beginning her MMA career. She went 3-0 as an amateur and 8-0 as a pro while Harvey managed her, in the process becoming the first woman to sign with the UFC.
The bitterness peaked between them last fall. At a news conference in September to promote her upcoming bout at UFC 193 with Holly Holm, Rousey was asked by a fan about a passage in her autobiography that was about Harvey. The passage discussed how they would part amicably if they ever felt they didn't need each other any longer.
"That's what he said, but that's not the case," Rousey said in answer to the fan's question. "He's suing me for a lot of money right now."
After a pause, she said, "That's all right. I can afford it."
Rousey was knocked out by Holm at UFC 193 in what is regarded as the biggest upset in the UFC's history. Several days after that defeat, Harvey took several shots at Rousey in a post on Instagram as well as in an interview with USA Today.
Harvey told USA Today he'd lose more than $1 million in legal fees and money he spent on Rousey’s career.
I created a monster. She believed she was as special as the press made her out to be. They give me absolutely no credit for the success of her career. She’s not a good person. You don’t forget where you came from.
Both were singing a different tune on Monday. According to the settlement news release, Harvey and Fight Tribe Management partner Geneva Wasserman were helpful in assisting Rousey in becoming a crossover star.
Rousey praised Harvey in a statement and Harvey said he hoped she regained the belt.
“Darin was there from the very beginning, and I sincerely appreciate his and his team’s contributions when I needed them most,” Rousey said in a statement.
“I am glad Ronda and I were able to work things out,” Harvey said. “I am rooting for her to reclaim her belt and I wish her continued success in all of her endeavors.”
