Is Ronda Rousey Returning To The UFC?

Ronda Rousey is one of the most significant fighters in UFC history, and speculation is building in the MMA podcast and social media world that a return to the sport is possible.

The Olympic judo bronze medalist burst onto the MMA scene as an amateur in 2010, earning a 23-second armbar submission. The win was only a taste of what would come for most standing before Rousey.

There was never any secret as to what Rousey was best at and what opponents needed to avoid. Rousey’s armbar was one of the most prolific fight-enders the sport has ever seen and played homage to Bruce Lee’s famous quote: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

Rousey’s judo background helped make her the face of MMA, a barrier breaker and an historic UFC champion. Without her, women wouldn’t have been brought into the promotion as early as they were in 2013.

Ronda Rousey’s UFC Exit

Rousey’s MMA career ended 2016 after she suffered her second career loss.

After losing to Amanda Nunes, arguably the greatest female UFC fighter ever, by TKO in under one minute, Rousey decided to take her talents to professional wrestling.

Rousey signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2017 and made a natural crossover, becoming a dominant force as one of the company’s two female title-holders. However, unlike the UFC, WWE matches are scripted.

Fast forward to 2023, and reports indicate that the 36-year-old former UFC champion won’t re-sign with WWE after her current deal, potentially opening a door back into the UFC. 

The timing couldn’t be any better for Rousey, as the aforementioned Nunes retired in June, leaving the bantamweight title up for grabs. The UFC is also planning a major event that needs as much star power as possible.

Rousey would surely love to end her athletic career with at least one more MMA win.

Rousey at UFC 300?

Although Rousey’s star power has faded slightly over the last handful of years, an MMA return would be monumental.

UFC 300 is looming for the first half of 2024, and with the promotion’s president, Dana White, showing continued interest in unusual fights like Jon Jones vs. Tyson Fury and Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg, a Rousey return fight would be fitting.

To date, Rousey has not said that she is mulling a return.

But there’s also a natural storyline ready and waiting for a Rousey return. Despite not having won an MMA fight since August 2015 and losing two in a row by knockout, Rousey could receive an immediate title shot upon return.

Her bantamweight division is arguably thinner than ever, and the UFC needs big fights due to a lackluster 2023 so far. Rousey’s comeback would be a huge spectacle, and she could retire on top with a comeback story for the ages.

Possible Ronda Rousey Return Opponent

Rousey’s UFC return opponent could be one of the following:

• Miesha Tate
• Julianna Peña
• Raquel Pennington
• Holly Holm

Tate, a former rival, seems like the best storyline for Rousey’s potential return given their history, but Peña would also make a lot of sense.

Early in Rousey’s UFC career, she coached against her bitter rival on season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Peña, one of Tate’s friends, kicked off her MMA run by defeating veteran competitor Shayna Baszler, a friend of Rousey.

Peña went on to win the competition, and in 2021 she dethroned Nunes for the bantamweight strap. Now a former champion after Nunes won their August 2022 rematch, Peña is still a possible candidate for the impending vacant title fight.

Rousey versus Peña for the vacant title at 135 pounds would be a dream for the UFC. If Peña wasn’t available, Raquel Pennington is another top contender potentially deserving of a title shot.

From a meritocracy perspective, Rousey shouldn’t get an immediate title shot coming off a layoff and back-to-back losses. But, again, her fame is extraordinary.

Finally, a non-title fight rematch with Holm, who handed Rousey her first UFC loss, would also be a big fight. It seems unlikely Rousey would want to revisit this matchup if there wasn’t UFC gold on the line. Holm has had an up-and-down career since beating Rousey. 

Ronda Rousey MMA Record

During her undefeated run, Rousey was among the most dominant fighters in MMA history—and her UFC moneylines reflected that. Rousey never closed worse than -190 in her career and reached a height of -1700. 

On average, Rousey was favored over her opposition at around -600 odds.

Judges were never needed in Rousey’s 14-fight career. All of her first seven victories between amateur and pro bouts came in under a minute via armbar submissions, while all of her first eight pro bouts were won in the first round by the same method. 

Overall, she only went beyond the first round on two occasions.

Rousey was instantly thrown into the mix with tough competitors at 145 pounds, winning her pro debut against Brazilian veteran Ediane Gomes. Veterans Charmaine Tweet and Sarah D’Alelio fell victim to Rousey next. Then, Rousey beat future all-time great featherweight and former Bellator champion Julia Budd.

Fight No. 5 as a pro saw Rousey debut at bantamweight when she challenged Tate in one of the biggest female fights in MMA history.

Tate was a formidable foe, becoming the first to escape a Rousey armbar. However, she got caught again late in the round, resulting in one of the most gruesome MMA visuals ever when her arm was bent back 90 degrees.

Rousey only fought killers from then on, passing with her typical flying colors by first defeating former champion and divisional legend Sarah Kaufman in under one minute. 

Rousey’s UFC debut and the rise of women in the promotion saw her overcome the biggest scare of her career when she was almost spoiled by Liz Carmouche. Carmouche was known for her strength and wrestling game, helping her find Rousey’s back after a head and arm throw. Nearly pulling off a standing rear-naked choke, Carmouche was miraculously shaken off by Rousey and got locked in her dangerous armbar.

A thrilling rematch between Rousey and Tate followed, with the two battling into the third round before another armbar win for Rousey.

After that, Rousey showed new skills. She scored three of her last four wins by knockout over Sara McMann, Alexis Davis and Bethe Correia. Mixed in between was the fastest submission in MMA history with her 14-second modified armbar against Cat Zingano.

Rousey’s fights were the definition of “don’t blink or you’ll miss it.”