Ronda Rousey’s UFC Comeback Tease Meets Harsh Reality Check from Fellow Fighters

The possibility of Ronda Rousey stepping back into the UFC Octagon has many fans excited, but one former fighter believes such a return would end disastrously for the MMA pioneer. Rousey, who helped pave the way for women in mixed martial arts and participated in the UFC`s inaugural women`s bout, has not competed in the cage since 2016.

Her last two appearances resulted in significant defeats. After suffering a shocking knockout loss to Holly Holm, considered one of the sport`s greatest upsets, the 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist was again defeated by Amanda Nunes a year later. These consecutive losses seemed to mark the end of `Rowdy`s` MMA career, leading her to transition into professional wrestling with WWE. Further speculation about a UFC comeback was dampened when Rousey revealed she had neurological injuries preventing her from competing.

However, recent social media activity from the 38-year-old has unexpectedly reignited rumors of a return.

UFC Veteran Matt Brown Warns Ronda Rousey Against MMA Return

The latest wave of UFC comeback speculation surrounding Rousey began in September when she shared a training video on Instagram, accompanying it with a caption suggesting she was rediscovering her “love” for MMA. These remarks quickly fueled the rumor mill, bringing the prospect of a return for the fighter, whom Dana White regards as one of MMA`s Mount Rushmore figures, back to the forefront of discussion.

During a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer show, Matt Brown weighed in on the potential comeback. While acknowledging the widespread interest a Rousey fight would generate, `The Immortal` expressed strong doubts, predicting she would be easily defeated.

“We know everyone would get behind bringing Ronda Rousey back,” Brown stated. “As big of a star as she was, yeah, everybody would be all about it. Whether they love her or hate her, we’ll watch 100 percent.

“(But) I would say the same thing with Conor (McGregor)…you cannot take that time off and expect to come back at a high level.

“Everybody else is working every day,” Brown continued. “This isn’t 1998 anymore, where you can just kind of be a fighter in training camp and then chill and then come back. We’re not even talking about that. We’re talking about years off.

“She’ll get destroyed.”

Cris Cyborg Offers to Face Ronda Rousey in Potential MMA Return

Should Ronda Rousey decide to make an MMA comeback, one prominent legend outside the UFC has already expressed her readiness to welcome her back: Cris Cyborg. Currently embarking on her “legacy tour” as she prepares to conclude her distinguished fighting career, Cyborg has two fights remaining on her PFL contract.

Her next bout is against Sara Collins in December, preceding Vadim Nemkov’s heavyweight title clash with Renan Ferreira in Lyon, France. While such a matchup would likely require Cyborg to extend her retirement plans, she publicly volunteered to be Rousey`s opponent for any potential return, posting “#CyborgRousey” in response to an X (formerly Twitter) post discussing Rousey`s comeback hints.