Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano almost happened and probably would have if not for, according to Carano, UFC president Dana White’s bully negotiating.

Earlier this week, Carano, the first breakthrough star of women’s MMA, appeared on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” and explained how White and Co. approached her about the opportunity for a comeback fight against Rousey, which would have been a superfight at the time. Carano said she verbally agreed to do it for $1 million, but she had just one request: “You got to be able to just sit on this for about six months, Dana.”

Since she hadn’t fought in a few years, Carano wanted time to find a gym and get situated for a proper training camp before news of a potential fight went public. White apparently agreed to oblige. But the next day, Carano said she was taken aback by the UFC boss sharing details with the media.

The situation got worse when White sent Carano a text message calling her a “bitch” that she didn’t believe was meant for her to receive. When she replied back, White apparently doubled down and said it was. That was the end negotiations.

On a Tuesday edition of the “Weighin In” podcast with Josh Thomson, Bellator analyst John McCarthy, a former referee who worked UFC events many times, sided with Carano for how she handled the situation.

“Gina is … she’s a different person,” McCarthy said. “She’s very shy. She’s very quiet. She’s got her people that she talks to, and she wasn’t happy about it. … “That’s the kind of person she is, and that’s the way she should be.

She should not take abuse from anybody over anything when it comes to the negotiation of a fight. She had agreed to something; (the UFC) had agreed to something; and someone didn’t hold up their end of the agreement. And then they’re upset about the fact that someone’s not being helpful to them when they haven’t held up their end of the agreement. That’s what happens.”

Gallery Photos: Gina Carano through the years view 77 images

Carano, whose professional MMA career began in June 2006, had her last fight in August 2009, losing to Cris Cyborg under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner. Carano transitioned into acting shortly after and has appeared in just films as “Haywire,” “Fast and Furious 6,” “Deadpool,” and most recently the Star Wars miniseries “The Mandalorian” on Disney+.

Carano said she’s had other opportunities to return to fighting, but her acting career has taken precedent.

“I think about it (return to fighting) every single time I hit the heavy bag. I think about it,” Carano said. “But if you were to ask me if I had the decision today, I would chose a movie, because that’s where my heart is, and that’s where I want to be, and I hope that maybe someday. I mean, if I really wanted to fight, I can pick up a fight in England or Thailand in muay Thai and get it out of my system. But for right now, I’m working on a script. I’m working on this other giant that’s become my fight now.”

Other apps just deliver sports. The USA TODAY Sportswire app lets you pick specific team sites to get only the news that you want to know.

newsletter Get 10 hot stories each day Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation. Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.