Rousey reportedly offered contract for return
Ronda Rousey was the first UFC women’s bantamweight champion, and then defended her title like no champion in mixed martial…
Ronda Rousey was the first UFC women’s bantamweight champion, and then defended her title like no champion in mixed martial arts history. The belt was bestowed upon her and she defended it twice before hitting an extraordinary groove. She beat Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann in 1:06; that’s incredible. Then Rousey beat Alexis Davis, Cat Zingano, and Bethe Correia in a combined 1:04; that will never happen again.
But then on November 15, 2015, Ronda Rousey lost to Holly Holm. And the belt thereafter went from unwinnable to unholdable. Holm lost her title to Miesha Tate, who lost her title to Amanda Nunes, all in the space of eight months.
Earlier this week UFC president Dana White told Brazilian media giant Globo that there’s a very good chance Rousey will fight this year, vs. Nunes. As White previously said she would not be fighting at UFC 205 in New York, that leaves UFC 206 on December 10 in Toronto, and UFC 207 on December 30 in Las Vegas.
Rousey’s longtime trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan, spoke recently with Ramona Shelburne for ESPN and said the former champion may challenge the current champ at UFC 207 on December 30. He also said Rousey is definitely coming back, even if it is not this year.
“There have been talks about her coming back, but we haven’t made a final decision yet,” said Tarverdyan. “There’s a chance she fights to get her belt back this year, but nothing is set yet. If we do make a comeback this year, we will. If not we will make it next year. We want to thank all our fans for being patient.
“When she does come back, we promise the best Ronda Rousey that anyone has ever seen.”
Pinning down the return even more specifically, the well-connected Damon Martin reports for FOX Sports that Rousey has been offered a fight with Nunes at UFC 207 and that negotiations are ongoing, although no bout agreements have been issued.
White has said last month that the return of Rousey would be the biggest pay per view in league history. So Nunes, who would get points on the PPV, is enthusiastic at the prospect.