Speculation about Ronda Rousey’s potential UFC comeback has grown in recent weeks after she shared a training video on Instagram, saying she had “found her love” for mixed martial arts again. The former women’s bantamweight champion, however, has not fought since December 2016.
Following her dominant MMA career and later success in WWE, the idea of Rousey returning to the Octagon has always seemed unlikely. Now, UFC commentator and former fighter Din Thomas says it shouldn’t even be considered, calling the idea “irresponsible.”
Speaking on The Bohnfire podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Thomas argued that allowing Rousey to compete again—especially given her past health issues—would reflect poorly on the sport.
“She shouldn’t even be cleared,” Thomas said. “How irresponsible would it be for a fight organization to hear all that and still put her in a fight? You can’t play with those issues. It would be a bad look for the sport.”
Rousey’s retirement followed consecutive knockout losses to Holly Holm at UFC 193 and Amanda Nunes at UFC 207, which ended her 12-0 undefeated streak. In her 2024 memoir My Fight, she revealed that she suffered from multiple concussions during her career and believes they affected her later performances.
Thomas emphasized that, considering her own admissions about head trauma, any promoter who sanctioned her return would be taking a major ethical risk. “If that’s the case, we’ve got to keep her out of the Octagon,” he added.
Rousey Responds to UFC Comeback Rumors
When asked by TMZ Sports on October 11 about a possible UFC return, Rousey downplayed the speculation. Promoting her new graphic novel Expecting the Unexpected, she said her current focus is simply on training for personal fulfillment.
“I’m running late to the gym right now, but I just had a baby,” she said. “I’m just trying to get my body identity back and I’m enjoying being in the gym again. I feel a lot better and a lot healthier… I’m just getting back into training for the love of it, and that’s something I feel I lost before.”
Rousey did not address whether she has plans to fight again, including a rumored exhibition at the White House in 2026, leaving her athletic future uncertain—but for now, it seems her return to competition remains off the table.
