Ronda Rousey’s potential return to fighting is stirring up a lot of buzz—and not everyone expects it to happen the way you might think. Former UFC star Josh Thomson recently shared his take on what could be next for the MMA legend, and it’s sparking some serious speculation. After all, Rousey’s last fight ended in a stunning 48-second knockout loss to Amanda Nunes back in December 2016, which led to her stepping away from the sport. But nearly ten years later, fans have noticed her posting training clips on social media, fueling rumors that she’s gearing up for a comeback. The 38-year-old herself has hinted at rediscovering her passion for fighting, which only adds fuel to the fire about a possible UFC return.
But here’s where it gets controversial: legendary referee 'Big' John McCarthy recently revealed some insider info suggesting Rousey’s comeback might not be inside the UFC cage at all. On the popular 'WEIGHING IN' podcast with Josh Thomson, McCarthy said he’s heard from reliable sources that Rousey is indeed making a return, but her opponent and the event remain under wraps. More intriguingly, he mentioned that she might no longer be under contract with the UFC, which opens the door for her to fight elsewhere. This raises a big question—could Rousey be stepping outside the traditional MMA world for her next bout?
Josh Thomson weighed in on this possibility, pointing out that since Rousey has ties to WWE and likely connections with Logan and Jake Paul, she might end up fighting on one of Jake Paul’s fight cards. Jake Paul has been making waves by promoting high-profile boxing matches featuring former MMA fighters, so this could be a strategic move for Rousey to re-enter combat sports on a different platform. This idea challenges the usual narrative that a fighter’s comeback must happen within the UFC, and it’s definitely a hot topic for debate among fans and analysts alike.
Meanwhile, the UFC is gearing up for some exciting matchups, including Kayla Harrison’s upcoming fight against a 'special' opponent on the UFC White House card scheduled for June 2026. Amanda Nunes, who previously defeated Rousey, won’t be that opponent since she and Harrison are set to battle for the bantamweight title before the end of 2025. Many thought Rousey might be the perfect challenger to generate buzz for Harrison’s fight, but Rousey herself has put those rumors to rest. In a recent update, she firmly stated she won’t be fighting at the White House event, even joking that she has "better stuff to do"—like making sure her kid gets pasta!
And here’s the kicker: Rousey did leave a tiny door open by saying, "After Mike Tyson being the biggest fight of the year, you never say never," but she quickly followed up with a clear no to the White House fight. This mix of openness and refusal leaves fans wondering—what exactly is Rousey’s plan? Is she aiming for a high-profile boxing match, a UFC return, or something entirely different?
What do you think? Would you be excited to see Rousey fight on a Jake Paul card, or do you believe her true comeback belongs in the UFC? Could stepping outside the UFC cage be a smart move for her career, or does it risk tarnishing her legacy? Share your thoughts and join the conversation—because this story is far from over, and the next chapter could surprise us all.
