WWE superstar and former UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey may just be on her way back to the UFC. Recently, Rousey teamed up with Shayna Baszler to win the women’s tag titles in WWE. But, Baszler turned on Rousey and it wrote her off WWE television for quite some time it looks like.
And, if rumors are to be believed, it is because Ronda wants one more run in the UFC. Amanda Nunes announced her retirement after UFC 289 when she beat Irene Aldana. It has left a void at the top of the women’s bantamweight division and rumors are, Rousey wants to use that as a chance to capture UFC gold one last time.
So how does UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik feel about it? Recently, the fan-favorite personality made an appearance during the UFC Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. During a press conference ahead of the event, Anik faced the journalists and the topic of Ronda Rousey came up. It is important to remember that Anik was the one to float the idea of Rousey’s return.
Speaking about it once more, Anik said, “I would encourage it in some part. But I’d also be hypocritical if I said to you she should come back and fight for the title just because of this Amanda Nunes vacancy.” Anik explained that he was not a fan of Henry Cejudo cutting the line either.
He further added, “I like a meritocracy and there are definitely worthwhile contenders, Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena chief among them. So, as a mixed martial arts fan, I get a little bit uneasy when someone comes back having not competed and just cuts the line. But, if anyone deserves to cut the line, it’s probably Ronda.”
To Anik’s point, Rousey’s return will definitely come at the cost of a contender in the division. Before fighting Irene Aldana, Amanda Nunes was scheduled to take on Julianna Pena in a trilogy bout. But, that fight could not happen due to an injury to Pena. So it does look like Ronda Rousey vs Julianna Pena might be the next fight to determine the next champ in the division.
Can Ronda Rousey recapture her past UFC glory?
Ronda Rousey is the first-ever female champion in the UFC. At one point in time, UFC President Dana White was adamant that he would not allow female fighters to fight inside the Octagon. But, Rousey’s insane popularity forced his hand on letting female fighters compete in the UFC. On her very last Strikeforce fight against Sarah Kaufman, Rousey became the UFC bantamweight champ.
Since then, Rousey has accumulated a record of 6 wins and 2 losses in the UFC, and a 12-2 record in general. However, she did not end her UFC run on the best of terms. Rousey lost her last two contests against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes viciously and it led to her walking away from the company for good. Her loss to Nunes was especially damaging to her reputation as Rousey’s credibility came into question.
Even UFC commentator Joe Rogan added later that the sport passed her by. So it will certainly be interesting to see what happens if Rousey does make her return to Octagon in the near future.