Ronda Rousey has teased a possible return to MMA after nearly a decade away, but not everyone believes it would be wise.
The former UFC bantamweight champion, who hasn’t fought since back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016, sparked speculation by sharing a training clip on Instagram in September, saying she had rediscovered her “love” for the sport.
Her comments reignited talk of a comeback, but UFC veteran Matt Brown urged caution. Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown said that while fans would tune in for her return, the game has moved on.
“As big of a star as she was, yeah, f— yeah everybody would be all about it,” Brown said. “But you cannot take that time off and expect to come back at a high level. Everybody else is working every day. This isn’t 1998 anymore… we’re talking about years off. She’ll get destroyed.”
If Rousey does decide to return, she already has a potential opponent. Cris Cyborg, the Brazilian legend now signed with PFL, said she’d be willing to delay retirement plans to face the UFC Hall of Famer, posting “#CyborgRousey” on social media.
Cyborg, who has two fights left on her contract, is set to face Sara Collins in December but left the door open for one of women’s MMA’s biggest dream fights to finally happen.
