Demetrious Johnson affirmed throughout his current look on The Ariel Helwani Present that Ronda Rousey may return to the UFC and discover success within the girls’s bantamweight division.
“If she comes again I feel she’ll be high quality. Within the girls’s bantamweight division I don’t really feel just like the technology has actually moved previous her ability set. I feel the one fault she may have is somebody very athletic like Amanda Nunes. And someone who is aware of counter her judo… I feel she may come again and make some huge cash,” Johnson stated.
Ronda Rousey Within the UFC
Rousey retired from blended martial arts after struggling back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm in 2015 and Amanda Nunes in 2016, bouts that ended her unprecedented 12-fight profitable streak. Throughout her prime she captured the UFC girls’s bantamweight title, defended it six occasions, and have become a crossover star whose fights headlined pay-per-views. After stepping away from competitors, she centered on performing and wrestling, however has hinted at a attainable return for a number of years.
Johnson’s evaluation rests on Rousey’s foundational skills. She developed world-class judo abilities on her option to an Olympic medal in 2008, then translated these throws and clinch work into MMA submission wins. Even after almost a decade away from the game, her takedown sport and floor management stay threats few opponents can match.
At current the ladies’s bantamweight division facilities on Kayla Harrison, who claimed the title in 2025 and boasts an 19-1 report. Former champion Julianna Peña sits at primary contender, adopted by Raquel Pennington, Ketlen Vieira and Norma Dumont within the high 5. Amanda Nunes, now retired, stays the one athlete in recent times whose mix of pace, energy and hanging has persistently neutralized Rousey’s judo.
Johnson highlighted this matchup as the important thing impediment: an opponent able to stopping Rousey’s takedowns and preserving the combat standing. That type distinction is essential; Rousey’s wins usually got here shortly as soon as she secured a clinch or journey, whereas fighters with robust hanging defenses have prolonged her to later rounds.
The monetary stakes are additionally important. Rousey was the highest-paid athlete in UFC historical past on the time of her departure, headlining a number of occasions and producing report buys. A comeback bout in opposition to a high contender or fellow veteran may draw main viewership, particularly if marketed as a marquee return. Johnson famous that Rousey’s title recognition alone would guarantee substantial paydays.
Timing stays unsure. Rousey is underneath contract with WWE via early 2026, which can have an effect on her UFC standing. If her settlement permits, she may negotiate a combat with the UFC or pursue a particular occasion on one other platform, just like crossover boxing matches. Both path would depend upon contractual particulars and Rousey’s coaching readiness.
Ronda Rousey has been hinting at a return to MMA competitors via her current social-media exercise. In September she shared footage of herself retraining – first hanging eight weeks after giving delivery after which once more eight months postpartum – accompanied by the caption, “From 8 weeks after having a child and eight years of stepping away from MMA to eight months postpartum and discovering my love for it once more… I really feel like I’ve a lot left to develop, and with out the burden of the world on my shoulders, nothing is holding me again.”
Whereas Rousey has publicly dismissed the thought of combating on the UFC White Home card, she stopped in need of ruling out different UFC returns. Her posts have reignited hypothesis that she may capitalize on her judo-based floor sport – nonetheless a risk to many within the bantamweight division – if she chooses to barter a comeback bout. Whether or not these teases result in a proper combat announcement will depend upon her WWE commitments, her willingness to endure a full coaching camp, and the UFC’s matchmaking curiosity in staging a high-profile return.
But Johnson stays assured. He burdened that the present group of bantamweight athletes has not surpassed Rousey’s core ability set and that she may recapture her type with centered preparation and good matchmaking. A single high-profile bout may reignite curiosity, ship a monetary increase, and reestablish Rousey as a aggressive drive within the division.
