Former Womens Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey will make her return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Dec. 30th, when she will challenge the current division champ Amanda Nunes.
UFC President Dana White announced the bout on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday, ending the speculation about Rouseys potential retirement that has swirled since she was knocked out by Holly Holm in Melbourne, Australia last November.
Rousey went on a 12-0 tear to begin her career utilizing her superior armbar technique to defeat notables like Sarah Kaufman, Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate twice before succumbing to Holm’s boxing prowess.
That defeat cost Rousey her veneer of athletic invincibility. After appearances on daytime TV where she revealed that she contemplated suicide, many thought she would retire.
For Nunes, who is on a four-fight win streak that included her stunning first round rear-naked-choke of Miesha Tate for the belt at UFC 200, this will definitely be the biggest fight of her career.
White also revealed that if Rousey defeats Nunes, she would then fight archrival Cristiane Cyborg Santos at some point during 2017.
However, Julianna Pena, who is on a four-fight win streak, is not happy about Rousey getting a title shot in her return fight.
Pena has campaigned for a shot at the bantamweight title, but with the tremendous star power of Rousey, it was a no-brainer that she would be the headliner for a championship bout.
“It’s bulls–t,” Pena said to MMAFighting.com. “That spoiled brat has gotten everything handed to her, and she’s getting everything handed to her again.”
The womens bantamweight division is on fire and with Rousey returning, it will only get better. The potential for a Rousey vs Cyborg fight in 2017 with a title possibly on the line will definitely keep the MMA world salivating for next December and into the new year.
