With only one event remaining in the UFC’s 2016 schedule, the MMA world’s focus is fixated on the awaited return of former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who meets champion Amanda Nunes in the main event of next week’s (Fri., December 30, 2017) UFC 207 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Rousey has remained largely out
With only one event remaining in the UFC’s 2016 schedule, the MMA world’s focus is fixated on the awaited return of former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who meets champion Amanda Nunes in the main event of next week’s (Fri., December 30, 2017) UFC 207 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Rousey has remained largely out of the public eye in the year after her devastating KO loss to Holly Holm at November 2015’s UFC 193, a stark contrast from the all-out media blitz that saw “Rowdy” plastered on nearly every MMA-related story last year. She reportedly had to be “consoled” following her face-off with “The Lioness” at the UFC 205 weigh-ins, and many believe her self-imposed exile screams insecurity about her chances against a fighter like the current titleholder.
But if a recent photo Rousey posted on Instagram is any indication, “Rowdy” is more than in shape and ready. She posted a photo of herself looking especially ripped and ready with the hashtag #FearTheReturn. Check it out and see if you think we should be afraid:
After losing her title in devastating fashion against Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey took a back seat. Having already talked about taking an extended break, ‘Rowdy’ watched as the women’s bantamweight division changed drastically. Since its inception in 2013, women’s bantamweight had only Rousey as champion. Within a heartbeat at UFC 193 that all changed, and
After losing her title in devastating fashion against Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey took a back seat. Having already talked about taking an extended break, ‘Rowdy’ watched as the women’s bantamweight division changed drastically. Since its inception in 2013, women’s bantamweight had only Rousey as champion. Within a heartbeat at UFC 193 that all changed, and now one year later there’s already been four champs overall. Miesha Tate took the belt from Holm, and then Amanda Nunes beat the brakes off ‘Cupcake’ at UFC 200.
Now that Rousey is scheduled to return against ‘The Lioness,’ the MMA world is once again fixated on ‘Rowdy.’ Things seem to be different this time around though. Long gone are the days of exchanging trash talk with Cyborg Santos, and making bold claims about her upcoming fight. Perhaps this new version of Ronda Rousey will be even more effective at UFC 207, who knows. That said, she isn’t completely averse to talking a bit of smack, even after such a troubling year.
She’s Back!
In line with the UFC’s promotion of her return, Ronda Rousey proved last night she is indeed ‘back.’ Talking during her appearance on the Conan O’Brien show, ‘Rowdy’ responded to Nunes’ prediction of a first round KO. As quoted by FOX Sports:
“Well she kind of has to say that because everyone knows she gasses out in the second so she has to tell herself that,” Rousey said. “What else is she going to tell herself? She has to sleep at night somehow.”
“Well it’s just that don’t really have to. I mean I’ve done a lot of learning in this last year and I’ve learned that the views I get and the money I make really doesn’t mean anything for me or my happiness” Rousey said. “Now that I know the women’s division is secure, I don’t have to do that anymore. I choose not to. It’s not something I really get a kick off of like ‘ooh I want to spend 12 hours at ESPN and talk (expletive) all day’. That’s not really what I’d want to do.”
In Shape Too
As you’ll see in the picture to follow, Ronda Rousey appears to be in fantastic shape. Having set in motion her comeback after the loss to Holm, looking ripped and sounding ready, are we witnessing the beginning of the second reign of ‘Rowdy?’
Trailblazing former UFC champion Ronda Rousey will finally make her long-awaited return to fighting when she faces 135-pound champion Amanda Nunes in the main event of December 30’s UFC 207 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. When she does, ‘Rowdy’ will carry a burden comprised of exponentially more pressure than that on the actual champion’s
Trailblazing former UFC champion Ronda Rousey will finally make her long-awaited return to fighting when she faces 135-pound champion Amanda Nunes in the main event of December 30’s UFC 207 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
When she does, ‘Rowdy’ will carry a burden comprised of exponentially more pressure than that on the actual champion’s shoulders, as Rousey will be tasked with responding to the monstrous fallout of her shocking UFC 193 loss to Holly Holm last year.
While she may still be one of the UFC’s biggest stars, Rousey has done little to quiet the doubt about her mental state heading into her return fight against Nunes, rarely appearing in public and reportedly ‘having to be consoled’ following her surprise face-off with ‘The Lioness’ at last month’s UFC 205 weigh-ins.
But that isn’t the case in her latest commercial, a spot for Pantene shampoo where Rousey guarantees she’s going to win and continue breaking barriers:
In the commercial, Rousey says she’s going to win again, and won’t let anyone stop her from reaching that goal:
“I’m going to win, again. I’m not going to let anyone stop me, again. I’m going to break all your glass ceilings, again. Don’t hate me because I’m strong. Strong is beautiful.”
With an unprecedented six straight title defenses as the inaugural women’s 135-pound champ, Rousey was the most dominant champion in MMA during her torrid run from 2013-2015. But the grind of the glitz and glamour of being a multimedia-crossing superstar ultimately caught up to her, and she’ll now face a bulldozing champion who has won four straight fights with three by finish.
If you believe the commercial, however, Rousey isn’t all too worried about that.
Former queen of the bantamweights Ronda Rousey is coming back on December 30, as she takes on current champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Sitting out for a year following her crushing loss to Holly Holm, Rousey faces not only a dangerous new champion, but also many inner demons. Having faced deep depression following her
Former queen of the bantamweights Ronda Rousey is coming back on December 30, as she takes on current champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Sitting out for a year following her crushing loss to Holly Holm, Rousey faces not only a dangerous new champion, but also many inner demons. Having faced deep depression following her first ever pro loss, there’s a lot at stake for the once dominant champ at UFC 207.
With a loss against ‘The Lioness,’ Rousey could well retire from her illustrious fighting career. Already putting her fighting future in question, ‘Rowdy’ recently revealed her retirement is imminent, win or lose at UFC 207.
Warrior Code
In her recent UFC on FOX segment called ‘Warrior Code,’ Ronda Rousey discussed a number of subjects ahead of UFC 207. From her nerves before fight night, to sacrifice and fame, ‘Rowdy’ revealed all in this in-depth interview:
“I feel most nervous two weeks before a fight, I call it ‘two week-itus.’ It’s when I feel the most emotional, my body is the most broken down, and I literally will cry over spilt milk. By the time I actually walk out, I’m tired of being nervous, so I just do what I need to do.”
“I don’t really think of the things I give up for my fights as a sacrifice. I’m happy to devote six weeks straight just to training, and to be moving around in a body that’s the most finely tuned fighting machine in the world. I feel like the biggest sacrifices have been made long before now, so I’m happy to embrace it.”
“Everyone Has Reasons To Fight”
“I try not to call myself famous or think about it too much, because I’m scared of it. I’m really scared to lose my reference on reality. If you are socially unhealthy then you’ll be mentally unhealthy, so I’m trying to remain socially healthy so I don’t lose my reference on what’s real.”
“It’s a human sport, there’s an instinct in every person on this planet to fight, at any age. Everyone has a reason to fight. You have to have the personality to fight, and you can’t learn personality, you just have it. Fighters are born, and I was born a fighter.”
The UFC women’s bantamweight division took another twist this week. After 11 months out of action, former champion Ronda Rousey returns to an immediate title shot. Facing the current queen Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, ‘Rowdy’ will finally look to get past her brutal loss to Holly Holm. Following the crushing KO against ‘The Preacher’s
The UFC women’s bantamweight division took another twist this week. After 11 months out of action, former champion Ronda Rousey returns to an immediate title shot. Facing the current queen Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, ‘Rowdy’ will finally look to get past her brutal loss to Holly Holm. Following the crushing KO against ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ at UFC 193, Rousey avoided the limelight for months. At times refusing to even talk about fighting, it was hard to see a path back to glory for the once dominant ruler.
Now that her comeback is set, Rousey is once again embroiled in some tense debates-Not so much regarding Nunes, but her old rival Cris Cyborg. The Brazilian knockout artist has scored two crushing knockouts since joining the UFC, co-incidentally during the period ‘Rowdy’ was absent. Having beefed with Rousey for many years already, a fight between the two would certainly be a massive draw.
Dana White’s Comments
UFC president Dana White ensured that a fight between Cyborg and Rousey would likely happen after UFC 207. This was in response to great criticism from the Invicta FC featherweight champ, who feels the UFC has favored Rousey in terms of promotion and ‘cherry picking’ her opponents. Responding during a recent interview, White said they hadn’t done anything with Rousey that hadn’t also been given to Cyborg in terms of promotion.
Clearly still angry, Cris Cyborg took to Twitter to point out some previous comments by Rousey and White:
If your team spent years calling me an 'it' with a 'dick' looking like wanderlia in a dress, it shouldnt b hard to m8 the fight @RondaRouseypic.twitter.com/c1dOIVRHNe
Outside all the politics that have kept Cyborg from fighting against Rousey, there’s the infamous comments that even Joe Rogan was guilty of fuelling at one time. Hoping she’ll finally get a chance to settle this feud in the octagon, Cris Cyborg will at least have to wait until after UFC 207. Unfortunately for the Brazilian knockout artist, weight is still a major issue here. It’s not so much the fact she can’t make 135, it’s more that nobody wants to move up to 140 for the fight. If Rousey wins the bantamweight title against Nunes, we are essentially back to square one again.
After 11 months (to the day) away from the Octagon following her second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, the promotion announced this week that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will return to the Octagon against Amanda Nunes in the main event of December 30’s UFC 207 from Las Vegas. ‘Rowdy’s’
After 11 months (to the day) away from the Octagon following her second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, the promotion announced this week that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will return to the Octagon against Amanda Nunes in the main event of December 30’s UFC 207 from Las Vegas.
‘Rowdy’s’ return is no doubt the most anticipated in the 23-year history of the UFC, and women’s MMA has been in a state of disarray in her absence. To the surprise of most, Holm has dropped two fights in a row, the first to Miesha Tate in a shocking come-from-behind submission defeat at March 5’s UFC 196. Tate then went on to lose the belt in a heavily one-sided submission loss to Nunes, marking the third woman to hold the women’s bantamweight title since Rousey ruled with six straight finishes.
Those times are long gone in the ever-evolving world of MMA, however, and many are doubting Rousey can return to the effortless domination that propelled her to the enviable position as MMA’s most recognized persona. The backlash Rousey faced in the days and months after her loss to Holm was unprecedented, and fostered a sort of cycle that only heaped more outrage on her when she forced herself into a self-imposed exile away from the watchful eye of the media.
Credit: Matt Roberts for USA TODAY Sports
While an easy and impressive Rousey win seemed like little more than a foregone conclusion less than a year ago, MMA fans now pick the bout with a much more measured degree of caution, especially against a champion with momentum like Nunes. Many of them may want Rousey to fail yet again, but the UFC’s current biggest star – featherweight champion Conor McGregor – isn’t among that group of haters.
His opinion on all topics in MMA now the most desired stance in the fight game, “The Notorious” recently told Sports Illustrated there is only one thing Rousey can do, and that’s silence her doubters by winning her long-held title back:
“I’d tell her to go shut them all up now,” McGregor told SI by phone. “Shut them all up. Go and stake your claim again.”
“I wish Ronda nothing but the best, it’s good to see her back,” he continued. “Some people take defeat and losses a certain way. You see how some fighters take losses. I’m happy she is ready to go again and I wish her well.
“Go and shut these people up now. Go and get what you began back. I’m excited to see how it unfolds.”
Encouraging words from McGregor, who obviously knows a thing or two about returning from a devastating loss as a massive favorite after Nate Diaz submitted him in the second-round of their main event at UFC 196.
Unlike Rousey, the Irish stalwart chose to immediately face his arch rival again, scoring a close majority decision win at August 20’s UFC 202 to gain his vengeance.
Credit: Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports
Rousey’s return will be bigger than huge, as she’s the only name in MMA who can stake a valid claim at McGregor’s spot as the biggest star in the fight game. It’s no small task, despite the fact UFC President Dana White believes Rousey is still a bigger draw than McGregor. If the returning judoka can get past Nunes in her comeback, a super fight with Cris “Cyborg” Justino potentially awaits, a fight that White believes would be the ‘biggest UFC pay-per-view of all time.’
But “Notorious” is predicting that result for his awaited lightweight title bout with Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November 12’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden in New York, a monumental fight he believes will secure in excess of two million buys.
Do you agree that Rousey still has the drawing power to topple McGregor? Will she silence her detractors as the Irish champion has urged?
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