Ronda Rousey's shock return to combat sports may have taken one step closer to reality - with her reported opponent publicly stating she is 'ready' to fight her.
Rousey, 38, was one of the biggest and most marketable stars in the UFC between 2013 and 2015 after winning the Bantamweight Championship.
But she lost her title at UFC 193 to Holly Holm, in what was her first defeat in 13 fights.
Rousey was then inactive for over a year before taking on Amanda Nunes in another bantamweight title match in December 2016.
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However, she lasted just 48 seconds into round one, with Nunes securing victory via technical knockout.
Rousey subsequently announced her retirement from mixed martial arts and pursued a career in the WWE, where she main-evented WrestleMania 35 against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.
After her second spell in WWE ended last year, Rousey announced her retirement from professional wrestling in September.
Rumours surrounding a potential UFC return for the 38-year-old began to surface earlier this year, when US President Donald Trump called for an event to be hosted at the White House.
Rousey has repeatedly said that she will not compete at the White House, but did state on the 'Lapsed Fan' podcast in June: "After Mike Tyson being the biggest fight of the year, never say never.
"But I ain't fighting at the f***ing White House."
Instead, BoxingScene are reporting that Rousey may instead step into the boxing ring, with a potential fight against Irish unified champion Katie Taylor lined up.
It is claimed that the pair could do battle in Las Vegas in 2026, and are in 'active negotiations' over a fight.
Taylor was asked about the reports at a WBC convention on Tuesday, and didn't exactly rule out a bout against Rousey.
She stated (via The Independent): "She's an iconic figure in female sport, and she has an amazing mentality. You don't get to the position that she's in without a fantastic mind, without a fantastic mentality.
"So it's just a very interesting fight for me. This is the first I've heard about it as well, this morning.
"I look at the headlines, and I'm thinking, 'Okay, I'm up for this fight, I'm ready for this fight, and I'll be very excited for this fight as well."
Topics: Ronda Rousey, UFC
Ryan Smart