Up until this point it’s been widely reported that Ronda Rousey was targeting a return to the Octagon in late 2016, but a new comment from Dana White has since cast doubt on that fact.
When asked on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ yesterday if it was possible that Rousey wouldn’t fight in 2016, White stopped short of giving a definitive answer.
“I hope that’s not the case. I would really like her to fight this year. I hope she does,” White said. “That’s up to Ronda. Ronda’s going to come out and let us know when she’s ready to fight again.”
That’s not the reply that fans of the former woman’s bantamweight champion would have been hoping to hear, and will no doubt lead to concerns that perhaps Rousey’s tough KO loss to Holly Holm together with her burgeoning Hollywood movie career may be turning her away from the sport.
The UFC will undoubtedly still be hoping to persuade her that a return to action later this year is the right move, with UFC 205, their first ever event in New York City at Madison Square Garden in November, being the perfect landing spot for her comeback fight.
Even New York governor, Andrew Cuomo stated his interest in seeing the superstar fighter compete at the event after official makaing MMA legal in the state last month.
Rousey was there that day, and did appear to indicate that she had an interest in competing on that historic card, which is a positive sign, but it seems that at this moment in time it’s by no means a done deal.
