One of the most prominent figures in MMA history Ronda Rousey may be preparing for a return to the UFC. Rumors have surfaced suggesting she is considering a comeback, potentially to face a specific opponent in a high-profile fight; Kayla Harrison. This possibility has attracted significant attention within the MMA community and among fight fans worldwide.
Ronda Rouseyâs Origin
Rouseyâs career began in judo, where she made a name for herself by winning an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Her achievements in judo laid the foundation for her transition into MMA, a sport where she would reach global stardom. She first gained prominence fighting in Strikeforce, where her dominant performances caught the attention of the UFC.
When Rousey joined the UFC in 2013, she quickly became a central figure in the promotionâs growth, particularly for womenâs divisions. Rousey was the inaugural UFC womenâs bantamweight champion and defended the title multiple times, often winning her bouts in the first round. Her success was pivotal in cementing womenâs MMA as a viable category in the UFC, inspiring countless female fighters and elevating the sportâs visibility.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Rouseyâs impact on womenâs sports holds social importance. She became a role model for female athletes and challenged traditional gender norms within combat sports. Rouseyâs career coincided with a broader movement, helping to normalize women competing at the highest levels in MMA.
Rouseyâs departure from the UFC came after consecutive losses in 2015 and 2016. These defeats, notably her knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, raised questions about her future competitiveness in the sport. Following these setbacks, she shifted her focus to appearances in entertainment and other ventures outside fighting. Her departure was seen as a result of the physical toll of competition, coupled with evolving interests beyond MMA. She then switched to WWE.
Ronda Rousey Making a Comeback
The recent rumors about Rouseyâs return to the UFC focus on an apparent interest in a comeback fight against Kayla Harrison, the undefeated two-division PFL champion and Olympic judo gold medalist, plus current UFC champ. Chael Sonnen, a former UFC fighter and commentator, shared that Rousey expressed a willingness to return only if the potential opponent is Harrison. Sonnen stated, âRonda Rousey gonna come back and going to fight the winner of Amanda-Kayla, as long as the winner is Kayla. Okay, now this is the story. This is the story and let me tell you what part of this I can confirm. I can confirm the story came from Ronda.â
Sonnen elaborated on the nature of Rouseyâs potential comeback, emphasizing that she would not want to return simply to fight Amanda Nunes but has her sights set on Harrison. Sonnen also discussed what defines a true comeback in MMA, suggesting that true returns are driven by an overwhelming desire rather than conditions set by the returning athlete regarding opponents.
The possibility of a Rousey-Harrison fight carries historical significance, as it would pit two Olympic judo medalists against each other in a major MMA bout. Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison faced each other once in a judo match at the 2005 U.S. Judo Championships. At that time, Rousey was 18 years old and just a few weeks past her 18th birthday, while Harrison was a 15-year-old rising talent. The match was a closely contested battle between two future Olympic medalists and MMA stars. Ultimately, Rousey emerged victorious in this encounter.
Observers note that Rousey left the UFC with a mixed legacy. While she was once the dominant champion and a marketable star, her losses raised doubts about her standing as a top contender. Sonnen pointed out that âRonda never needed to leave. Ronda was about the eighth best girl in the world,â but the competitive landscape shifted as new fighters emerged. Whether Rousey can regain her top form remains a key question.
Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison are poised for one of the biggest fights in womenâs MMA history. Harrison, the reigning UFC womenâs bantamweight champion and two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, earned the title by defeating Julianna Pena at UFC 316. Nunes, a former two-division UFC champion considered by many as the greatest female fighter of all time, has come out of retirement to challenge Harrison and reclaim the bantamweight title. The fight is highly anticipated and may headline a major UFC event before the end of 2025, subject to Nunes completing the required drug testing protocols for her comeback.
Lol
âEverybody in our industry is hearing the story and theyâre all talking about it, but they donât have the quite the confirmation to come out and bring it to you,â Sonnen added later in his video. âAs a matter of fact, itâs believed when Dana alluded to this big surprise that none of you will see coming, that is what he is alluding to. The idea of two Olympic medalists on the White House grounds, they think is very American and a very good feel.â
In an alternate dimension, Ronda Rousey vs. Kayla Harrison would indeed be the perfect fight for the UFCâs America 250 event at the White House. But Rousey just spent a good chunk of 2024 telling people she had to retire from MMA because of how many concussions sheâd had. By the end of her UFC days, Rousey says she couldnât even take a jab in training without concussion symptoms.
Itâs a bit of a miracle that âRowdyâ was able to cross into pro wrestling and have a career in the WWE given how bad things reportedly were. If she did try to return to MMA, weâd have serious reservations about whether she should even be licensed.
It just sounds far-fetched, and Chael Sonnen feels the same way.
âI donât believe itâs going to happen. It is the rumor, though,â he concluded. âRonda versus Kayla â not only will that not happen, but Ronda Rousey competing in anything at one hundred and thirty five pounds? Also not gonna happen.â
She got over her permanent neurological damage?
Please be true
I got $3.50 on Harrison ragdolling her.
Better matchup than Holy or Amanda but sheâll still lose.
I despised Ronda Rouseyâs bullshit the first time around.
Having a UFC event at the White House cheapens and somehow belittles the historic landmark.
I got curious about whether they have had public entertainment there in the past and I found something interesting.
Apparently, in 1978 there was a tv show called In Performance At The White House (though that wasnât the only year) that had different acts perform in one of the rooms. It surprises the hell out of me that they had Russian performers in the White House in or around 1978.
I donât follow WMMA. Isnât Kayla Harrison considered a bad ass?
Didnât Rousey release a whole memoir documenting her lengthy history of concussions and neurological issues?
Sheâs much better than Rhonda, I think thatâs safe to say.
Who the fuck knows. Women are bad at fighting, she might have a shot.
Money done got low lol. The one thing that kept Rousey afloat in her MMA career was having a grappling advantage. Shes not gonna ragdoll Kayla. Kayla by ground and pound stoppage.