Is a UFC return in the works for Ronda Rousey?
Former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey hasn’t fought in the UFC in nearly seven years, but that may be about to change.
During UFC Fight Night 224 media day on Wednesday, women’s bantamweight contender Chelsea Chandler informed reporters that she wouldn’t be surprised to see Rousey make her Octagon return in the not-too-distant future.
“I’ve been hearing Ronda is coming back,” Chandler said. “I’ve heard she’s coming back at 145. You never know. … It has been a long time for her and things change, people get better, and I think people are on to her one-trick-pony armbar. Money talks, and she would bring eyes to the sport again. I feel like her time in WWE is starting to go down, so I’d like to see it.”
Rousey’s last appearance in the UFC came in a first-round TKO loss to the recently retired Amanda Nunes in December 2016. It was just the second loss of Rousey’s career and her second straight defeat in a title fight.
She began a full-time pro wrestling career in WWE the next year. She’s spent the last seven years with the company off and on, winning the women’s championship three times and the women’s tag team championship once. Rousey also won the 2022 Royal Rumble.
Rousey’s WWE deal expires later this year, so a UFC return doesn’t seem completely out of left field.
Chandler, the No. 15-ranked bantamweight fighter in the UFC rankings, wasted no time throwing her hat into the ring as a possible welcome-back opponent for the former champion, who began her MMA career with 12 straight wins and seven successful title defenses.
“If I got out there and put on the performance I plan on putting (on against Norma Dumont on Saturday), I’ll welcome her to 145,” Chandler added. “I think it would be a great fight.”
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