Many fans dream of seeing Ronda Rousey back in the UFC Octagon, but one former fighter doesn`t believe it would end well for her. Rousey, a pioneer in mixed martial arts and a participant in the very first women`s UFC fight, has not competed in the cage since 2016. After a sensational knockout by Holly Holm and a subsequent loss to Amanda Nunes, it seemed her MMA career was over. Rousey transitioned to professional wrestling, starting a career with WWE, and rumors of her UFC return were dismissed when she cited neurological injuries preventing her from competing. Nevertheless, the 38-year-old athlete`s recent social media activity has once again fueled speculation about a potential comeback.
Matt Brown Urges Ronda Rousey to Avoid MMA Return
Speculation about Rousey`s UFC comeback ignited in September when she posted a training video on Instagram, captioning it with words about rediscovering her “love” for MMA. These statements naturally caused a stir, and talks of a UFC return for the athlete, whom Dana White has included in his “Mount Rushmore” of MMA, have resurfaced. In a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer show, Matt Brown also discussed the potential return. While he admitted he would certainly watch a fight featuring her, “The Immortal” believes Rousey would suffer a decisive defeat.
“We know everyone would get behind bringing Ronda Rousey back,” Brown stated. “Given what a huge star she was, yeah, hell yeah, everyone would be all for it. Whether they love her or hate her, we`ll all watch, one hundred percent.”
“But I`d say the same thing about Conor (McGregor)… you cannot take such a long break and expect to return at a high level.”
“Everyone else is working every single day,” Brown continued. “This isn`t 1998 anymore, where you could just be a fighter in training camp, then relax, and then come back. We`re not even talking about that. We`re talking about years off.”
“She`ll just get destroyed.”
Cris Cyborg Offers to Welcome Ronda Rousey Back to MMA
Should Rousey ultimately decide to return to MMA, one legend outside the UFC is ready and willing to face her. Cris Cyborg is currently on her “legacy tour,” preparing to conclude her illustrious fighting career. The Brazilian star has two fights remaining on her PFL contract, the first of which will be against Sara Collins on the undercard of Vadim Nemkov`s heavyweight title fight against Renan Ferreira in Lyon, France, this December. Although the Brazilian would likely have to delay her retirement plans for it to happen, Cyborg expressed her readiness to be Rousey`s opponent in a potential return via social media.
“#CyborgRousey,” she wrote in the comments section of an X post regarding Rousey`s comeback tease.
