In a dramatic turn of events, the much-anticipated return of Ronda Rousey to the UFC octagon seems to have been quashed by none other than UFC president Dana White himself. The buzz surrounding Rousey’s potential comeback, fueled by a report from The Daily Mail, has been met with a decisive rebuttal from White.
Speaking candidly at the Contender Series post-fight press conference, White dismissed the speculation about Rousey’s appearance at the promotion’s tricentennial event, UFC 300, as a “crock of s***.” While fans were hopeful for her comeback, White’s emphatic denial sheds light on the reality of the situation.
Addressing the rumors, White shared a glimpse into Rousey’s current chapter in life. “Ronda’s having kids,” he revealed, underlining her priorities and endeavors beyond the octagon. Having played a pivotal role in the evolution of women’s MMA within the UFC, Rousey carved her name in the history books as the first-ever UFC women’s champion. Her legacy includes a remarkable six consecutive bantamweight title defenses from 2013 to 2015, before a shocking knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
While Rousey ventured back into the octagon for one final match against Amanda Nunes in December 2016, her path soon led her away from mixed martial arts to the vibrant world of WWE. A trailblazer both in and out of the cage, she transcended boundaries and found success in professional wrestling, a journey punctuated by her recent departure from the WWE following a loss to Shayna Baszler at WWE’s SummerSlam event.
As the UFC gears up for its landmark event, UFC 300, slated for the first half of 2024, the promotion is anticipated to deliver a stacked card reminiscent of the grandeur witnessed during UFC 200. While Rousey’s octagon comeback dreams may remain unrealized, her indelible mark on MMA history continues to shine brightly, reminding the world of her groundbreaking contributions and extraordinary journey.
