Is Ronda Rousey Returning to the UFC? What Did Chelsea Chandler Reveal About the Ex-UFC Champ’s Comeback to the Women’s Featherweight Division?

Is Ronda Rousey returning at UFC 300?

Ronda Rousey was once known as ‘the baddest woman on the planet’, and had a remarkable combat career. She started her journey in combat in the discipline of Judo. Rousey became the youngest judoka to qualify for the Olympics back in 2004 when the Olympics was hosted in Athens. However, she suffered a loss on her debut, only to come back and win the bronze medal in Judo, 4 years later at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She was the first American woman to secure an Olympic medal in the art of Judo.

After securing her bronze, Rousey decided to foray into Martial Arts and became the first woman to be signed by the UFC promotion. She was the first women’s UFC champion, ruling the Bantamweight division. Her first match was at UFC 157 and registered six title dominant title defenses before her first loss came at the hands of Holly Holm, at UFC 193. Rousey then went on to face former UFC champ Amanda Nunes. ‘Rowdy’ lost the bout and retired from UFC.

Rousey then made her WWE debut in 2015 at WrestleMania 31, alongside WWE superstar and Hollywood icon, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. She went on to win individual and tag team championships. Now, after 8 years of an illustrious career at WWE, rumors of Ronda Rousey coming back to the UFC are doing rounds.

“I’ve heard she’s coming back at 145”: Chelsea Chandler on Ronda Rousey’s return 

Fans are hyped to hear that there might be a chance that Ronda Rousey might return to the UFC at UFC 300. After walking out of the UFC after a loss to ‘The Lioness’, Amanda Nunes, ‘Rowdy’ Rousey made a name for herself in the WWE, garnering a lot of loyal fans.

Now, with Amanda Nunes gone, all signs hint at a return of the first UFC women’s champion, to wear the Featherweight belt and maybe even the Bantamweight, after that.

Although nothing has been confirmed yet, fans have a reason to believe that Ronda Rousey might come back to MMA – especially the UFC. This reason happens to be the news that UFC Featherweight fighter Chelsea Chandler dropped at UFC on ESPN 49.

“I’ve been hearing Ronda is coming back. I’ve heard she’s coming back at 145. You never know.”, started Chandler before saying that she would love to welcome back the legendary fighter to the Featherweight division and that the traction that she brings with her would be big.

This statement from Chandler urges fans to think: Is Ronda really coming back? Is there inside news regarding Rousey’s return that the common people do not know yet?

Another interesting piece of the puzzle happens to be the fact that Ronda Rousey recently dropped an advertisement for UFC 290. This coupled with the ‘rumblings’ that Chandler seems to have heard does really support the idea that Rousey could in fact be thinking about making a comeback to the UFC.

However, there is a strong contradiction to this theory, in the form of the fighter herself. On many occasions, Rousey has been asked about a possible UFC return. On each occasion, the former Bantamweight champion has made it abundantly clear that she has no plans of returning to the Octagon.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk said that Rousey could walk right back into a title shot

The takeaway from all the rumors surrounding Ronda Rousey’s return is that it might be a mere possibility. The fighter has always clarified that she has no plans of returning. That being said, a direct title shot opportunity might not be something Ronda Rousey would easily say no to.

This is what former UFC fighter Joanna Jedrzejczyk seems to think could happen. In a recent interview with The Schmo, Jedrzejczyk opened up on the possible return of ‘Rowdy’ Rousey and picking up where she left off.

“She can fight for the vacant title, it’s her belt“, pointed out Jedrzejczyk. Talking about potential opponents for Rousey, on the off chance that she does really return, Jedrzejczyk picked two names. “Can be Juliana or Raquel, Raquel deserves the title shot, she has a few wins straight so yeah definitely.“, she said.

Rousey’s last couple of matches in the UFC were disappointing, prompting her to take her interests to the WWE. In the meantime, Amanda ‘The Lioness’ Nunes has been the most dominant female fighter in the UFC. Before she retired, Nunes was the rightful owner of the Featherweight and the Bantamweight belts. Now, there are a couple of names that might be considered for a title shot. For example, Irene Aldana and Julianna Pena might be top contenders for the title shot.

If Rousey comes back to the division, it is sure to disrupt the balance of power. Whether that is for good or for worse is something that is yet to be seen.

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Do you think Ronda Rousey will come back to the UFC? Who do you think she fights? Or could it be the case, that Rousey is waiting to face Nunes at the WWE? Let us know in the comments below.

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