Just eight months after welcoming her second daughter, Ronda Rousey is turning heads with her latest training updates. She has started speculation about a potential return to professional competition.
The former UFC bantamweight champion recently shared compelling footage on Instagram that showcased her journey back to the mats, revealing a dramatic transformation from uncertain mother to confident athlete once again. The post featured two contrasting clips that tell the story of her remarkable progress over recent months.
“The first clip is my first session working with @aj_mma. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed of how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū,” Rousey candidly shared about her initial return to training.
The honesty in her reflection struck a chord with fans worldwide, as the 38-year-old Olympic judoka opened up about the vulnerability she felt stepping back into combat sports after years away. Her first training session came just eight weeks postpartum.
However, the second clip painted an entirely different picture. “Second clip was yesterday, I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days,” she wrote, highlighting the joy she’s rediscovered in training. Working with coach AJ Matthews, Rousey has been focusing intensively on her boxing skills, an area she hadn’t touched for eight years.
The former champion’s caption revealed deeper insights into her mental state: “From 8 weeks after having a baby and 8 years of stepping away from MMA to 8 months postpartum and finding my love for it again.” She described the last six months as “an absolute blast” and noted that she finally feels free to grow without pressure.
Rousey’s journey back to training represents more than just physical preparation—it’s a personal reclamation. Three months ago, she admitted, “I am like deep in mom mode. I’m not in the studio, you know, I’m working out in my garage and I’m just trying to reclaim my body from motherhood.”
The timing of her training resurgence has fueled intense speculation among fans and combat sports enthusiasts. With over 3,000 days having passed since her last UFC appearance, many are wondering whether these updates signal preparation for a professional comeback.
Fan reactions have been decidedly mixed, ranging from enthusiastic support to cautious skepticism. Some supporters see her renewed dedication as inspiring, with one commenting about her courage to return to training postpartum rather than remaining inactive. Others have expressed excitement about potential WWE appearances, suggesting she might surprise fans with a Royal Rumble 2026 return.
Her last competitive MMA appearance came in December 2016, when she suffered a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes, effectively ending her UFC career. After stepping away from the Octagon, Rousey transitioned to WWE in 2018, where she achieved considerable success, winning both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships and the 2022 Royal Rumble.
