Why are we still talking about a possible Ronda Rousey comeback nearly a decade after her retirement?
It actually started on social media, as Rousey was seen recently back in the cage working on her Judo. The former UFC champion has been vocal about her fighting-related health issues and just gave birth to her second child, but that didn’t halt speculation about a possible comeback.
If Rousey were to return, the first-ever US women’s Olympic Judo medalist would have to do so on the UFC White House card, right? It’s set to be a spectacle, the biggest fighting event of 2026, and lots of fighters are already campaigning for a spot. Don’t count Rousey among that number however, as she cleared the air in a recent interview with The Lapsed Fan Podcast.
“I am not fighting at the White House,” Rousey said (via MMA Fighting). “I mean, after Mike Tyson being the biggest fight of the year [vs. Jake Paul], you never say never [on a return]. But I ain’t fighting on the f—king White House.”
“I got better s—t to do,” she continued. “My kid needs pasta.”
UFC White House shutdown aside, this is the most open Rousey has sounded to a possible comeback in years. “Never say never” doesn’t inspire much optimism in general but compared to previous Rousey statements, it’s a positive shift! At 38 years of age, perhaps there’s still time for one last “super fight” style match up if the money is right.