R. Rousey has been retired from MMA since 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook RondaRousey
Away from the octagon since 2016, Ronda Rousey may not have definitively ended her UFC career. According to former fighter and commentator Chael Sonnen , the former champion would be willing to return to professional MMA under one specific condition: facing Kayla Harrison.
During a video posted on his YouTube channel, Sonnen stated that he had heard from people in Rousey's inner circle that she is considering a return to the UFC if Kayla beats Amanda Nunes in a potential fight.
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“ Ronda Rousey will come back and face the winner of Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison , as long as the winner is Kayla. Now, that’s a story, and let me tell you which part I can confirm. I can confirm that the story came from Ronda. In this business, it’s always ‘Ronda’s people, someone close to Ronda’… I understand those things. But it was. Ronda’s inner circle made it clear that she could face the winner of Amanda and Kayla, as long as it’s Kayla,” Sonnen stated.
Despite the revelation, Sonnen expressed skepticism about the possibility of the fight happening.
"She said she would come back to fight for the title if Kayla needed an opponent" (...) But comebacks don't work like that. It's an interesting psychology, I don't believe that will happen. (...) Another thing that won't happen is Ronda competing in anything at 61,2 kg", said the commentator.
The former fighter also suggested that disclosing this information could cause discomfort among the athletes.
"It's a rumor, but... if Kayla finds out that Ronda said this, it could cause hard feelings. The two know each other, they've trained together, and they supposedly have some kind of connection. And when Kayla finds out, she'll be half flattered and half pissed off," he said.
Kayla and Ronda have a long history together. The two faced each other in judo in 2005, with the former UFC champion winning. Both won Olympic medals before transitioning to MMA. In 2024, Harrison signed with the UFC and, this year, won the bantamweight title by submitting Julianna Peña at UFC 316.
Ronda Rousey has ruled out returning to MMA due to neurological condition
Despite the rumors, Rousey's return to MMA seems unlikely. The former champion herself has publicly stated that she is not in a neurological condition to compete after years of wear and tear in the UFC and WWE. According to the American, the concussions she suffered throughout her career have directly impacted her health and performance.
The first UFC women's champion, Rousey made history by paving the way for women's MMA in the organization, headlining the first women's main event, and stringing together a series of title defenses with quick and dominant victories. In 2018, she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Her last fight was in 2016, when she was knocked out by Amanda Nunes in just 48 seconds.
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