There is no sign that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey will ever return to the Octagon, but if she does, head coach Edmond Tarverdyan believes she has what it takes to give one more spectacular performance for her fans against perhaps her most bitter rival.
Back during the height of her powers, Rousey was considered the best female fighter in the world by far. At 12 wins and no losses, she was virtually untouchable. Only one name was being tipped to be the fighter to beat her, and that was Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino. At the time, Cyborg was signed with Invicta FC.
Rousey saw her fame rise as early as her time in Strikeforce. The Judo queen was destroying opposition left and right, but fans questioned her striking. Since Cyborg was the biggest and baddest female striker on the planet, she was perceived as the perfect kryptonite to Rousey.
Coach Edmond believes if Rousey comes back, she can beat Cyborg
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, coach Edmond let his thoughts known on a possible Rousey return, as well as how she would fare against Cyborg.
“That’s the one. I want that fight. When I trained Ronda, I know Ronda could beat Cyborg. I know that. Cyborg is too slow,” said Tarverdyan.
“I don’t know. We’ll live and we’ll see. If injuries weren’t there and everything was where it was, we would take that fight and I’m telling you she’s too slow for us. And Ronda will beat her. Ronda needs a challenge that she really needs to be like this person is no good and I need to prove something to the whole world. That’s how Ronda works good.”
Tarverdyan has worked with Rousey virtually her entire career. Some fans even believe this to be her downfall, because she hasn’t been able to improve her skills at all under his watch. But if anyone knows Rousey, it’s Tarverdyan.
Will Rousey come back to the Octagon?
Of course, at the moment, there is no indication as to whether or not Rousey will ever compete in MMA again. She’s lost two straight in devastating fashion. And as fans have come to know, Rousey certainly does not handle losses very well.
Given the right opponent however, Tarverdyan feels Rousey would be all for it.
“And she didn’t have that (the challenge) with Holly, she’s the one that pushed and wanted some aggressiveness before the weigh-ins. This one (against Cyborg) she has it. She said she cheated before, she’s hurt women and she wants to come and beat her.”
“That’s why if she wants to make a comeback and get one fight, I think she will do the best she’s ever done and I think she’ll be victorious. Because I know Ronda’s personality, because she’s happy right now and she has a good challenge in front of her that she focuses on. I think whatever she wants to do right now, she can do. It’s in her mind.”
“It’s gonna be her decision, if she fights. One more, I don’t know. I’ve spoken to her. I don’t know if she’ll do it. One more fight, maybe. If she really can. If her body does give her one more fight and she really wants to mentally, she might. It’s 50-50 right now I would say.”
So what say you fans? Do you think Rousey can beat Cyborg if she ever comes back to the Octagon?
