Will Ronda Rousey Return To The UFC?

“From eight weeks after having a baby and eight years of stepping away from MMA to eight months postpartum and finding my love for it again. The first clip is my first session working with [coach AJ Matthews]. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed of how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū.

“Second clip was yesterday, I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days. The last six months have been an absolute blast, feels like I have so much left to grow, and without the weight of the world on my shoulders nothing is holding me back,” Rousey said 

The most compelling reason for Rousey to stay retired is to protect her legacy and her long-term health. A comeback after nearly a decade away from the sport, and in her late 30s, carries a huge risk of another devastating defeat that would tarnish her legacy. Given that she is now a mother of two, a return to a sport that involves taking blows to the head would be a massive and unnecessary risk.

However, a comeback could be the ultimate act of redemption. Her return would generate a massive amount of money for her, the UFC, and her opponent. Her recent training footage shows a fighter who is not only back in the gym but is also focused on evolving her skill set, which could be a sign that she is more interested in competing on her own terms rather than under the immense pressure she faced in the past.