So it seems former UFC women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is finally making her return to the Octagon a reality, if reports are to be believed of her challenging current champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 which takes place December 30th in Las Vegas.
MMA reporter in the know, Ariel Helwani tweeted early yesterday morning that Rousey’s much awaited comeback could be finalized within the week.
Holly Holm Knocks Out Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 A Year Ago
Rousey suffered the first loss of her career nearly a year ago, when she got brutally kayoed by Holly Holm at UFC 193. She has since kept largely out of sight, and no one had any clue as to if and when she would return to fighting.
Recently however, many fans have seen Rousey out and about and they’ve all come back with the same story — that she is in great shape, fight shape to be exact.
A nug before I sign off for Yom Kippur: looking more + more like Rousey's return will be finalized this wk. Perhaps v. soon. 12/30 x Nunes.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 11, 2016
Rousey went 12 straight wins as a professional beginning in 2011. She won her first eight victories by armbar submission earning her the reputation of “arm collector”. All 12 of her victories have come by spectacular finish.
Nunes won the title from Miesha Tate back in July, and has openly said in the past that her first title defense should be against Rousey.
“If they ask me who I want to fight, I’m going to say I want to fight Ronda. I’m not running from anyone, I’m the champion and I can choose who I’m going to fight,” Nunes said.
Amanda Nunes is UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion
“I will choose what’s best for me and Ronda would be ‘the’ main fight, that’s why it has to be against her, it has to be with Ronda.”
But not everyone is happy about Rousey coming back to an immediate title shot. Fans believe other, more deserving fighters have earned the right to challenge Nunes for the belt.
One of those people is former Invicta champion and current UFC featherweight contender Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
Cyborg had long been campaigning for a bout against Rousey, with or without the belt, and she certainly has fan support. Many feel that Cyborg is the best female fighter in the world, and for good reason.
Insiders also agree that a Rousey-Cyborg fight would be one of the biggest fights to be made in the UFC, period. So you can understand Cyborg’s frustration.
In the heat of the moment however, Cyborg went on to post a lengthy statement on her official Facebook page expressing her disappointment.
