UFC superstar Ronda Rousey was previously expected to be back in the octagon for UFC 200 on July 9, but UFC president Dana White said Wednesday that Rousey is targeting a November return.
Holly Holm, who is fighting Miesha Tate on March 5 as part of UFC 196 in Las Vegas, could line up across from Rousey again if she defeats Tate.
“The winner of that fight will fight Ronda, probably in November,” White said. “She’s a bada man. She’ll be back.”
Rousey suffered her first UFC loss to Holm and her left leg in last November’s UFC 193. Now with a host of other entertainment obligations, UFC has been without arguably its biggest name.
“She’s one of those polarizing figures that so many people were bummed out when she lost and so many people were happy when she lost,” White said. “She incites both.”
It’s not-so-ironic that UFC is also targeting a November debut in the New York, a state where mixed martial arts is outlawed.
“We’re going to still work hard and get here in New York and Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, to the entire state,” UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler said Saturday night. “It’s absolutely, 100 percent a top priority for us.”
A Big Apple debut at Madison Square Garden with Rousey on the card would be the one of the most-anticipated events in UFC history.
