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At one point in her MMA career, Ronda Rousey was perhaps the biggest star in the UFC. But it all came crashing down as women’s MMA developed and the holes in Rousey’s game became obvious.
Most notably, Rousey never developed her striking, leading to brutal knockouts against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes that essentially ended her UFC career.
Rousey then departed the UFC in 2017 for WWE and hasn’t returned to combat sports since. She recently revealed the scary after-effects of suffering several blows to the head. But she also stated that those effects were getting better, and that a return to fighting wasn’t off the table.
Now it appears that return is more realistic than ever.
Ronda Rousey Rumored To Have Boxing Match With Katie Taylor Set For 2026
According to Boxing Scene, Rousey is reportedly in “active negotiations” for a boxing match with Katie Taylor in Las Vegas sometime in 2026. The report also states that Netflix could broadcast the fight.
Taylor, 39, is a former boxing world champion who went 25-1 in her career and held titles in multiple weight classes.
“Taylor-Rousey talk has drawn the interest of Netflix, said an official familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are unauthorized to speak publicly on the negotiations,” the report states. “And given the success of Taylor-Serrano as a headline event, along with the intrigue in Rousey, the fight is being pursued as its own main event.
The bout is being pegged as a summer event, the official said.”
Rousey returning to fighting isn’t super shocking. After all, her nonstop podcast appearances make it clear that she wants to remain relevant.
But returning to fighting in a boxing ring seems wildly stupid. Her background is in judo and grappling. She struggled with striking in the UFC, and it ultimately ended her MMA career.
Now she wants to return to fighting in a boxing match against a world-class boxer? That must be some sort of big payday she’s being offered, because otherwise it makes absolutely no sense.