Ronda Rousey’s Return Coming More Into Focus?

After ten months out of the cage, Ronda Rousey’s return to the cage could be nearing. 

Rousey has been absent from the UFC, and largely the media since her UFC 193 loss to Holly Holm. After rumors that she’d return in February, then July, then November, it looks more like her return will be in early 2017. A

“Nothing is for certain or set in stone yet, but there continues to be increased optimism regarding Ronda Rousey’s return,” MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani said Twitter Wednesday. “The goal has always been to return in (New York) but it’s important to remember Rousey had minor knee surgery two months ago. Still (a) few (months) ago the talk was more, if not when. That has shifted November to early 2017 is the talk now, but it’s still very early.”

Rousey took her loss to Holm hard, admitting that she contemplated suicide immediately after the defeat. Slowly but surely, Rousey has re-entered the public eye, in the form of talk show appearances, Q&As, as well as commercials. 

UFC officials have repeatedly stated that regardless of who is champion when Rousey returns, she has a championship shot waiting on her if she so chooses.