Ronda Rousey doused all speculations that she may be done with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), baring that she will be back before 2016 ends.
Rousey made the announcement via TMZ, shooting down all doubt of her ever returning to the Octagon. The former UFC women's bantamweight champion is aching to get payback on Holly Holm, although there is no date in mind for now.
"They haven't told me an exact date or location. It's a decision we're all going to make together. I'm kind of waiting to hear from them on what options they're going to give me," said Rousey via TMZ Sports.
Rousey's statements came barely a week after she had requested for some time off to fulfill her film commitments. She will be starring in the film remake "Roadhouse," but delays and apparent changes in the filming schedule had forced her to request for such.
With that said, it also removes her from possibly appearing at UFC 200 this July. It was previously speculated that she would be returning against Holm, although not many were convinced that she has fully recovered from that second round knockout loss back at UFC 193.
Also, Rousey's recent interview supports the earlier claim by UFC president Dana White that she will be 100% returning in 2016. White made that revelation via Sports Illustrated's SI Now.
With nothing made official yet, Holm is more focused on her first title defense against Miesha Tate at UFC 197 this March. The match is something that Holm and manager Lenny Fresquez had wanted earlier with Rousey's return in doubt.
Holm needs to make sure that she retains the belt over Tate since a loss could shake up things in the UFC women's bantamweight division and place that rematch with Rousey in danger.
With that said, the pressure is on the reigning UFC women's bantamweight champion to make sure she wins that match.
