Ronda Rousey played coy this week when asked about a potential return to the UFC Octagon in the future.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Rousey was asked if she was training for a UFC comeback, prompting her to respond by saying, “I just had a baby. I’m just trying to get my bodily identity back, and I’m just enjoying being in the gym again. I just feel a lot better and a lot healthier.”
Rousey added: “It just feels really good to get that freedom of movement back and just getting back to training for the love of it. And I feel like that’s something I lost before.”
The line of questioning was spurred by Rousey posting videos of herself working out in the cage and hitting the mitts on Instagram this month.
Rousey, 38, was once heralded as the best women’s MMA fighter in the world, but she has not competed in a fight since 2016.
The inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion began her pro MMA career a perfect 12-0 with nine submissions and three knockouts before a shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in 2015.
Just over one year later, Rousey stepped back inside the Octagon and got knocked out by Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, marking her final fight.
After that, Rousey transitioned into the world of pro wrestling, enjoying two stints in WWE and becoming a three-time women’s champion, one-time tag team champion, one-time Royal Rumble winner and one-time WrestleMania main eventer in the company.
In January, Rousey gave birth to her second daughter with husband Travis Browne, and her response to questions about fighting again primarily focused on her desire to get in shape following her pregnancy.
UFC President Dana White has usually shot down rumors of a Rousey return to MMA quickly over the years, but his responses to those questions have been more diplomatic recently.
This week, White told reporters of Rousey: “Her and I are still very close and we talk. I would say we probably talk once every three months or something like that. She was in Vegas recently, and she came by the offices, but I don’t know what her plans are. I think she’s just training again.”
White went on to say, “She’s just had another baby, and she’s in great shape right now. She’s frigging ripped like she used to be. So, I don’t know.”
That suggests the chances of Rousey returning to MMA are higher now than they once were, but neither she nor White are making any definitive statements.
Ultimately, the ball is likely in Rousey’s court since UFC would undoubtedly welcome her back with open arms given that she is one of the biggest draws in company history.
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