UFC CEO Dana White has left the door open for a potential return of former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
During a recent post-event press conference, White addressed questions about whether the star could make an appearance on the upcoming White House card. While initially seeming dismissive of the possibility, the UFC executive revealed that he maintains regular contact with the former champion and hasn’t completely ruled out her comeback.
“[Rousey] and I are still very close, and we talk. I would say that we probably talk once every three months, or something like that, and she was in Vegas recently. She came by the offices, but I don’t know what her plans are. I think she’s just training again,” White explained.
The revelation comes at an intriguing time in Rousey’s life, as the mother of three has reportedly rediscovered her passion for mixed martial arts and returned to training. White noted the dramatic transformation in her physical condition, particularly considering her recent motherhood.
“She has had three babies, and she’s in a whole other place in her life. But, I will say this, she just had another baby, and she’s in great shape right now. She’s freaking ripped like she used to be. So, I don’t know,” White continued.
Rousey’s departure from the UFC came after back-to-back defeats that ended her dominant reign as bantamweight champion. Her knockout loss to Holly Holm in 2015, followed by another defeat to Amanda Nunes, marked the end of an era that had transformed women’s MMA from a novelty into a mainstream attraction.
Following her UFC career, Rousey successfully transitioned to professional wrestling with WWE, where she achieved superstar status and further cemented her reputation as a crossover athlete. However, her recent return to training has reignited speculation about whether she might consider another chapter in mixed martial arts.
White’s comments also touched on the controversial decisions made following Holm’s victory over Rousey. The UFC president criticized Holm’s management team for declining an immediate rematch with Rousey in favor of defending the title against Miesha Tate.
“[Holm’s management] in my opinion ruined her life. She had the opportunity to rematch, immediately, Ronda Rousey, and for unbelievable money. They turned it down and said…’Well, fight Miesha Tate for the same money we have now.’… I told them in that meeting…’She is going to lose by choke.’ And that’s exactly what happened. For the same money, instead of fighting Ronda for life-changing money,” White revealed during an appearance on the Jim Rome Show.
The UFC executive’s prediction proved accurate, as Holm lost the title to Tate via rear-naked choke in her first defense, missing out on what could have been a career-defining payday against Rousey.
