Dana White 'Happy' for Ronda Rousey for WWE Contract After Royal Rumble Debut

UFC President Dana White said he's "happy" for Ronda Rousey after the women's MMA pioneer made her pro wrestling debut Sunday night at WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

"I'm happy for her. This is something she has always wanted to do," White texted ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "Ronda continues to achieve everything she has ever wanted."

Rousey, 30, made her debut as a full-time WWE competitor following Asuka's win at the inaugural women's Royal Rumble.

She interrupted an in-ring celebration featuring Asuka, SmackDown women's champion Charlotte Flair and Raw women's champion Alexa Bliss to stare the women down and point at the WrestleMania sign—a universal sign saying she'll (likely) be in one of the two title matches at the pay-per-view.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Rousey signed a deal with WWE to make her a full-time competitor. Terms were not made available, but Rousey said she plans on wrestling for "several years."

"This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt," Rousey said. "When I first met with Triple H, I told him, 'There are other things I can do with my time that'll make way more money but I won't enjoy nearly as much.'"

Rousey has not fought in UFC since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. That came following more than a yearlong layoff after Holly Holm knocked her out at UFC 193, her first loss in pro MMA.

She won her first 12 bouts in mixed martial arts, becoming arguably the most famous face in the sport and being described as single-handedly responsible for White's decision to open a women's division—something he previously said he'd never do.

"It's funny—it's kind of like acting, in that it was something I always wanted to do but I never thought was in the cards for me," Rousey said of joining WWE. "And now that I realize I really do have this opportunity, I feel like my six-year-old self would totally kick my ass if I didn't take it."

The intersection of WWE and UFC is far from new. Brock Lesnar has split time in both sports, becoming UFC heavyweight champion before a bout with diverticulitis caused him to retire. He returned at UFC 200 in July 2016 to defeat Mark Hunt, a result that was later overturned due to a positive drug test.

WWE has not said whether Rousey will compete on the Raw or SmackDown brand.