MMA legend Ronda Rousey Ronda Rousey has dismissed years of skepticism about her future in mixed martial arts, revealing plans to return to the UFC as both a fighter and promoter. Speaking to BBC Sport, the 37-year-old said her critics had no grounds to question her resolve. “People should have never doubted me,” she told BBC Sport. “I always knew where I was going.”

Rousey, a former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, stepped away from MMA after a string of losses in 2015, including a first-round knockout loss to Holly Holm. She later transitioned into professional wrestling with WWE before announcing her retirement from full-time competition in 2023. Now, she’s eyeing a comeback, with her first target in sight: a highly anticipated fight against Gina Carano Gina Carano.

Rousey’s UFC plans and Carano fight talks

Rousey confirmed she is actively working as a promoter, aligning with the UFC’s push to grow its women’s divisions. She also revealed ongoing discussions about a potential return to the octagon, specifically targeting a bout with Gina Carano. The fight, if it happens, would mark a significant moment in women’s MMA, drawing comparisons to their early-career rivalry in Strikeforce.

Rousey, who turns 38 in February, acknowledged the age gap but emphasized her physical readiness. “I’m in better shape now than I was at 30,” she said. “My mind is sharper, my body is stronger. I’m not fighting out of nostalgia—I’m fighting because I want to win.”

The proposed matchup has already sparked debate among fans and pundits. Carano, who last fought in 2021, has been vocal about her desire to return to the UFC, while Rousey has framed the fight as a way to prove doubters wrong once and for all.

UFC opinions and future ambitions

In the interview, Rousey also shared her views on the current state of the UFC, praising its growth under new leadership but criticizing some aspects of fighter pay and support. She called for better revenue-sharing models and more transparency in contract negotiations. “The UFC has come a long way, but there’s still work to do,” she said. “Fighters deserve a bigger piece of the pie.”

Rousey’s ambitions extend beyond just fighting. She is positioning herself to take a larger role in promoting women’s MMA, leveraging her decade-plus of experience in the sport. She hinted at potential partnerships with other fighters to elevate the division further.

Her return could also influence the UFC’s plans for women’s flyweight and bantamweight divisions, where she remains a marketable draw. Dana White, UFC president, has previously expressed interest in bringing Rousey back, though no deal has been finalized.

What happens next?

Rousey’s next steps include finalizing her promotional role, securing a potential fight with Carano, and preparing physically for a return to competition. She has not revealed a timeline but suggested the fight could happen in 2025. Meanwhile, Carano’s camp is reportedly open to the matchup, though no contracts have been signed.

The fight, if it materializes, would be one of the most talked-about returns in MMA history, uniting two of the sport’s most polarizing figures. It would also serve as a litmus test for Rousey’s ability to reclaim her former dominance in an era where women’s MMA has evolved significantly.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC Sport
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 16:44 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #bbc · #sports · #football · #ufc · #mma · #rousey

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Ronda Rousey volta ao octógono para calar os críticos e reacender a rivalidade que marcou uma geração nos EUA, mas que também ecoa no Brasil.

A lenda do MMA, Ronda Rousey, prepara seu retorno aos holofotes do UFC com um desafio polêmico: enfrentar Gina Carano, figura que ajudou a alavancar a popularidade das mulheres no esporte nos anos 2010. Rousey, que já foi ídolo no Brasil durante sua passagem pelo judô olímpico, enfrenta agora o peso de provar que ainda tem fôlego para brigar de igual para igual no octógono, após anos longe da fama. A decisão de enfrentar Carano, conhecida por sua postura controversa fora do esporte, não é apenas uma revanche pessoal, mas um movimento estratégico para reacender o debate sobre as mulheres no MMA e atrair uma nova audiência para a organização.

No Brasil, onde o UFC conquistou milhões de fãs e produziu ídolos como Anderson Silva e Amanda Nunes, a volta de Rousey representa mais do que um combate: é um resgate de uma era em que a presença feminina no esporte ainda era vista com ceticismo. Com a crescente popularidade das lutadoras brasileiras, especialmente no peso-galo, a revanche entre Rousey e Carano pode servir como um termômetro para o interesse do público feminino no MMA, além de reavivar memórias de um tempo em que as duas foram protagonistas de uma das rivalidades mais intensas do esporte. Resta saber se o octógono será o palco de um novo capítulo ou apenas um adeus definitivo para uma das maiores lutadoras de todos os tempos.