Ronda Rousey decided to hang up the gloves on her illustrious UFC career after a devastating loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in 2016.
Rousey faced Nunes to win back the Bantamweight championship after her upset loss to Holly Holm, who shocked the world with a head kick knockout in the second round back in 2015.
After retiring from the UFC Rousey transitioned into professional wrestling, Signing for the WWE in 2018. Winning both Smackdown and Raw Women’s Championship and currently holds the WWE Women’s Tag Championships, with former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler.
Could Ronda Rousey Return to the UFC?
With UFC lacking a megastar in the Bantamweight division following Amanda Nunes’ retirement at UFC 289. Dana White could possibly convince Ronda to return to the octagon following the recent $21bn merger with WWE this spring.
UFC commentator Jon Anik has backed ‘Rowdy’ to make a return to the octagon claiming she would still be a competitive fight during an interview.
When asked about Rousey’s return to face either Raquel Pennington or Juliana Pena he said:
“In a true meritocracy, that’s just not going to sit well with me, nor athletes that have donated blood, sweat and tears to mixed martial arts over the last several years.”
“If anyone is worthy of that type of opportunity, it’s probably Ronda Rousey and I do believe she would be competitive because she would not enter that setting without the guarantee that she would be competitive.”
Anik goes on to say: “I didn’t like that Henry Cejudo came back and cut the line of a bunch of 35er that have been active So it would be hypocritical of me to sit here and say, Absolutely, let’s elevate Ronda Rousey and have her return.”
“But if there was ever a time, you’re right it would be absolutely now but I’m not going to suggest that she would be a betting favourite against Juliana Pena nor Raquel Pennington, But I can see why people are getting excited about the possibility.”
Before closing with: “Even though we can’t settle on two obvious bantamweight contenders right now, it’s not as though there aren’t worthy title challengers. There are four or five women who I think are deserving right now.”
“Unfortunately, one of them is not Ronda Rousey, but we’ll see.”
Quotes via SportsBible
With the Bantamweight Championship vacant and with potential matchups against old foes like Misha Tate or Holly Holm who are ranked in the top 15 could lead Rousey to a title shot.
Who would you like Ronda Rousey to face if she is to make a UFC return? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
