Hopes that UFC superstar Ronda Rousey could make her much anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 205 in New York City this November have been dashed after it emerged that she’s just undergone knee surgery.
“She just had surgery on her knee yesterday,” Dana White revealed on ESPN’s Sportscenter. “Nothing serious, just get in there and scope it, clean it out a little bit.”
That won’t keep her out of action for long, but it does appear to have ruled her out of a high-profile return at Madison Square Garden, as White is now suggesting that December is the earliest she could be back in action.
“She feels great, her spirits are great, she’s been training so if she fights, I’m hoping she fights in either December, if not she would probably fight at the like the New Year’s show, beginning of the year or something,” White said.
Rousey had played an active role in helping the UFC push through the legalization of the sport in New York, and even Governor Andrew Cuomo had said he hoped she’d fight on the first card their, so it’s unfortunate that she won’t be on that card after all.
As for who she will eventually replace upon her return, White is sticking to his guns that the former bantamweight champion will get an immediate title shot.
“If Miesha Tate is still the champion, she will fight Miesha Tate,” White said. “Whoever has the belt, Ronda Rousey will fight. You never know; injuries happen in this sport, and maybe somebody falls out and someone goes in. I’m not even saying Holly Holm couldn’t be the champion by the time Ronda comes back.”
