Ronda Rousey‘s name is once again making headlines in the MMA world, not because of an official announcement, but because of a simple spark. She admitted on social media that she is “finding her love for MMA again.” For most athletes, that would be dismissed as nostalgia. But for Rousey, a pioneer who changed the sport, it was enough to spark comeback talk — even if all that talk is against her.

Suddenly, fans and analysts alike were discussing the potential of seeing her return to the Octagon nearly a decade after her last fight. However, not everyone sees logic in the move. Matt Brown, a veteran of the sport, is skeptical about Rousey’s potential return. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, he reminded fans that time is an opponent no one beats.

“She’ll get destroyed” – Matt Brown on Ronda Rousey’s chances at a UFC return

The fighters of today train at a different intensity, and the game has changed at such a rapid rate that nostalgia is no longer a factor. The MMA meta has evolved since she last fought, particularly for women’s MMA. Even for a celebrity like Ronda Rousey, Brown believes the outcome is unavoidable. “We know everyone would get behind bringing Ronda Rousey back,” he said, recognizing her box-office pull. “Yeah, f— yeah, everybody would be all about it. Whether they love her or hate her, we’ll watch 100 percent.”

But that was only the setup before he delivered the hard truth. “You cannot take that time off and expect to come back at a high level,” Brown warned. “This isn’t 1998 anymore. We’re not talking about months away — we’re talking years off. She’ll get destroyed.” But it isn’t just the layoff that raises alarms.

Ronda Rousey’s final two fights ended in brutal knockouts, and she later revealed that she had suffered several concussions stemming from her days as a judoka. Add to that, her age — she’s almost 39. Considering the miles her body has clocked in as an athlete across MMA, WWE, and judo, the comeback dream becomes less of a challenge and more of a risk.

Brown went so far as to say that unless the UFC scraped the barrel for a very easy matchup, the result would almost definitely be unpleasant. “There’s a point where you’ve just got to say, ‘I’m done,'” he said. “Ronda’s past that point for sure.” However, this does not mean the UFC would not take advantage of the situation.

Ronda Rousey still has the mystique of a trailblazer, and her return, even against a weaker opponent, would sell. For Matt Brown, the question isn’t about what fans want, but whether ‘Rowdy’ should even consider it. And he could not be clearer: she shouldn’t. But what do the fans really think of this return?

Fans speak out against Rousey’s return

If Matt Brown’s blunt words weren’t enough to put a damper on comeback expectations, fans made sure the message was heard loud and clear. Many mirrored his thoughts, suggesting that the idea of Rousey returning to the Octagon after nearly a decade did not sit well with them. To some, there was no upside left in dragging her back.

“Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants her back. For what exactly?” one fan asked, while others doubled down with comments like, “Yea, the LAST thing I want to see is washed-up Rhonda in the octagon,” and “Matt Brown always kicking knowledge 🔥.” Their words were as conclusive as Brown’s: the sport has moved on, and so should she.

Then came the harsher reality checks. “She won’t do good in today’s women’s MMA era. The game evolved when she left, even for women,” one fan commented. Another put it even more bluntly: “Ronda will get destroyed by any top 10 women’s division fighter in all 4.” For them, her famous hip tosses and slick armbar set-ups were relics of a bygone age that may not be able to compete with today’s roster’s razor-sharp skill sets.

However, not everyone was ready to abandon the comeback narrative. A smaller, more rebellious group said that Ronda Rousey’s name alone was worth something. “Could at least sell more than what we’re getting from the women’s divisions,” one person pushed back, while another laughed off Brown’s stance. “Lmao, Matt, I respect your takes on most things, but this nobody wants Ronda back AT ALL.”

Beyond pay-per-views, others saw value in the buzz alone, with one fan stating, “Just the fact people are talking about her creating a buzz equals money for her in many different areas.” In terms of legacy, they emphasized that “she has done things in the sport that he has never experienced.” It seems like there is still a group, albeit a small one, that wants to see ‘Rowdy’ return. But what do you think? Do you wish to see her back? Let us know in the comments.