Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Ronda Rousey, UFC
Nasir Jabbar
UFC legend Ronda Rousey has been backed to make a sensational return to MMA, having not fought in the famed Octagon since 2016.
Rousey called time on her glittering MMA career shortly after her crushing 48-second defeat to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 back in December 2016.
Her outing against Nunes came after her shocking defeat to Holly Holm, where she surrendered the UFC women's bantamweight championship.
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'Rowdy' has since transitioned to professional wrestling, signing with the WWE - winning the SmackDown Women's Championship and the Raw Women's Championship.
The 36-year-old remains one of the biggest names in the women's fight game despite her inactivity away from the UFC.
Dana White is lacking star power in the women's divisions following Nunes' surprise retirement. The UFC chief could be tempted to lure her back into the MMA world following the promotion's merger with the WWE.
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UFC commentator Jon Anik has tipped Rousey to make a return to MMA and reckons she would be 'competitive'.
"If anyone is worthy of that type of opportunity, it’s probably Ronda Rousey," he said.
"And I do believe she would be competitive because she would not enter that setting without the guarantee that she would be competitive. If ever there was a time, you’re right, it would be absolutely now.
"I'm not gonna sit here and suggest she’d be a betting favourite against Julianna Pena or Raquel Pennington, but I can understand why people would be excited at the possibility."
Anik added: "In a true meritocracy, that’s just not gonna sit well with me, nor that athletes that have been donating blood, sweat, and tears to mixed martial arts over the last several years.
"I didn’t like that Henry Cejudo came back and cut the line of a bunch of 35ers that have been active. So, it would be hypocritical of me to sit here and say, 'Absolutely, let’s elevate Ronda Rousey and have her return.'
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"Even though we can’t settle on two obvious bantamweight contenders right now, it’s not as though there aren’t worthy title challengers. There are four or five women who I think are deserving right now.
"Unfortunately, one of them is not Ronda Rousey, but we’ll see."
Of course, the UFC women's bantamweight title is vacant following Nunes' retirement. She walked away from the sport after her victory over Irene Aldana earlier this month.
Will Rousey return to the UFC?