Ronda Rousey out after knee surgery, UFC president Dana White says
Ronda Rousey of the US talks to the press before a face-off for the UFC fight in Melbourne on November 13, 2015. Over 55,000 are expected to attend the UFC fight between Rousey and compatriot Holly Holm in Melbourne on November 15. Credit: Getty Images / PAUL CROCK
The return of Ronda Rousey met another snag.
“I’m hoping we’re going to get Ronda back this year,” UFC president Dana White said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Thursday afternoon. “She actually just had surgery on her knee. Nothing serious – just get in there, scope it and clean it out a little bit. She feels great, her spirits are great, and she’s been training. So if she fights, I’m hoping that she either fights in December. Or if not, she’d probably fight on the New Year’s show or beginning of the year or something.”
White said Rousey, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion, had the surgery on Wednesday.
Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm last November and hasn't fought since. It originally was thought she'd be a part of UFC 200, the promotion's marquee event, this July. When White said earlier this year that Rousey wouldn't be ready to fight then, it was expected Rousey would be a part of UFC 205 in November, the first one in New York City after an eight-year legislative battle to bring the sport to the state.
Holm lost her first title defense to Miesha Tate last March.
White said Rousey's first fight back would be against the champion, whoever it is.
“If Miesha Tate is still the champion, [Rousey] will fight Miesha Tate,” White said. “Whoever has the belt, Ronda Rousey will fight [her]. You never know. Injuries happen in this sport, and maybe somebody falls out and someone goes in. I’m not even saying Holly Holm couldn’t be the champion by the time Ronda comes back.”
