Holly Holm of the US (R) lands a kick to the neck to knock out compatriot Ronda Rousey and win the UFC title fight in Melbourne on November 15, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO ADVERTISING USE NO PROMOTIONAL USE NO MERCHANDISING USE. / AFP / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP via Getty Images)
The coach of Henry Cejudo Urges Ronda Rousey and her UFC Return at Featherweight: ‘Save the Weight Class’.
Ronda Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has been suggested to make a return to the UFC by Henry Cejudo’s coach, with the recommendation that she competes in the featherweight division.
Rousey, known as ‘Rowdy,’ retired from the UFC in 2018 after a successful career that saw her win 12 consecutive fights in the Octagon. However, she faced two back-to-back defeats against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Her last fight in the UFC was against Nunes in December 2016.
Following her departure from the UFC, Rousey joined the WWE in January 2018, but recent speculation suggests that she might be considering a comeback to the Octagon after nearly six years away. There are even discussions about her potentially fighting for a vacant title.
Similar to Henry Cejudo, who retired from the UFC in 2020 only to return this year and face Aljamain Sterling in May (resulting in a split decision loss), Rousey’s coach, Eric Albarracin, shared his thoughts on her next move through social media [via BJ Penn.Com]:
“Should be (at) 145lbs. To save the weight class.”
Albarracin believes that Rousey should consider making a comeback in the featherweight division. This suggestion comes after Amanda Nunes, the two-division champion, officially retired from the UFC earlier this month after her victory against Irene Aldana in a bantamweight title fight.
With a void now present in the women’s bantamweight title scene, some believe that Rousey could fill that gap. However, others, including Albarracin, feel that ‘Rowdy’ should test her skills in the featherweight division.
UFC commentator Jon Anik has shared his reservations about the possibility of Ronda Rousey receiving an immediate title shot if she decides to make a comeback to the Octagon. Rousey, who hasn’t competed in MMA since her devastating loss to Amanda Nunes in December 2016, has faced two consecutive defeats, including a knockout by Holly Holm in November 2015.
While Rousey has been involved with WWE since leaving the UFC, capturing the women’s championship in 2018 and currently holding the tag team championships, fans have speculated if the UFC-WWE merger could pave the way for her return to the MMA world.
In a recent interview with MMAFighting, Jon Anik was asked for his thoughts on Rousey potentially receiving an immediate title shot upon her return. Anik expressed concerns, stating, “In a true meritocracy, that’s not gonna set well with me nor the athletes that have been donating blood, sweat, and tears to mixed martial arts over the last several years.”
Anik acknowledged Rousey’s past achievements and her potential competitiveness, but he didn’t appreciate how Henry Cejudo came back and skipped ahead of active fighters in line. While Anik didn’t outright reject the idea, he highlighted the need for fairness in the sport.
Considering the UFC-WWE merger, the question remains whether Ronda Rousey will make a comeback to the Octagon. While Anik’s reservations suggest the potential for controversy, fans will continue to speculate about the possibility of Rousey returning to MMA and the impact it could have on the UFC-WWE collaboration.
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