With Ronda Rousey ruled out for UFC 200, many are now wondering if the former UFC Women’s bantamweight champion would be returning at all in 2016.
And the best man to perhaps answer that is no other than UFC president Dana White.
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White recently appeared on Sports Illustrated’s SI Now and confidently says that he expects Rousey to return in 2016 and that match will be the much awaited rematch between her and Holly Holm.
After requesting some time off, not too many were sure on what the future holds for Rousey. In fact some were even playing with the idea that she may never return to the Octagon at all.
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With that said, the question was thrown at White as well. The UFC boss says that he is cool with the idea but added that Rousey has a reason to return to the UFC circle and that is to avenge her loss against Holm.
Take note however that it was White speaking and not Rousey. Hence, there is seems to be technically no assurance she will return after that beating she got at UFC 193.
Right now, Rousey’s return is up in the air. It could be true that she may return in 2016 or perhaps ask more time off.
Rousey is busy fulfilling her film commitments, one reason why she asked for more time and begged off from UFC 200. There are no plans yet other than a rematch between Rousey and Holm though the date on when that will happen is sketchy at this point.
Regardless, White also stressed via the Bleacher Report that Rousey will remain the UFC’s highest paid athlete upon her return.
For now, White will have to work with Holm as the UFC champion. The former boxer will face Miesha Tate in March for UFC 197 for her first title defense.
While Holm seems formidable, a Tate win is not totally discounted. If Tate pulls off a stunner, the UFC may find itself in a precarious position since it would waylay any plans of a blockbuster fight between Holm and Rousey moving forward.
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