For years, Ronda Rousey maintained her undefeated streak in MMA. But 2015 changed everything. After a round 2 KO loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, she went into hiding from the media. She came back a year later, but history repeated itself as Amanda Nunes defeated her via TKO in round 1 at UFC 207. Rousey already had a long history of concussions in judo, and MMA was only adding to it. And so, despite her reluctance, she made the tough decision of retiring at age 29.

Since retiring, Rousey has built a life outside of the cage, raising two children, writing a book, competing in WWE, and dabbling in Hollywood projects. Despite her accomplishments, she has never lost her desire to fight. She has previously stated that she would never say never to a return, and her new post confirms that her love for the sport remains strong.

Almost a decade after her final fight, seeing ‘Rowdy’ in gloves again evokes feelings of nostalgia and hope among fans. In her own words, Ronda Rousey wrote on Instagram: “From 8 weeks after having a baby and 8 years of stepping away from MMA to 8 months postpartum and finding my love for it again.

“The first clip is my first session working with @aj_mma. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed by how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants, throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū. The second clip was yesterday. I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days. The last 6 months have been an absolute blast. It feels like I have so much left to grow, and without the weight of the world on my shoulders, nothing is holding me back.

She ended her message with a quote from Alfred Mercier, “What we learn with pleasure, we never forget,” emphasizing her rediscovered passion. While she might not be competing professionally today, she was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, owing to her contributions. In fact, UFC CEO Dana White had credited ‘The Arm Collector’ for changing his mind in 2012 and pushing him to promote women’s MMA.

But because fans saw Rousey practicing MMA after a long, long time, they couldn’t help but suggest the idea of her appearing on the White House card next year. Yes, the same card that Jon Jones and Conor McGregor want to fight on. Here’s what social media users are saying:

Fans pressure Dana White for Rowdy’s return to the Octagon

Ronda Rousey’s honesty about rediscovering her love for training seemed to open a floodgate of emotion online, and the topic quickly went to whether Dana White should step in. Fans and athletes alike recognized the spark in her viral video and began lobbying for something bigger, arguing that if ‘Rowdy’ is smiling in gloves again, the Octagon should be her next stop. The buzz was about more than just her recovery story; it was about time, opportunity, and the kind of moment that could re-energize the UFC.

• “Ronda in The White House Card? @danawhite plz ❤️”
• “White House card?!”
• “Ronda x White House, let’s go!!”

Since her last fight in 2016, she has made it clear that the chances of returning to the cage were very slim. And now at 38, a return is unlikely. Yet, social media users couldn’t help but imagine Rousey stepping into the cage once again. American-Canadian TV personality Renee Paquette gushed in the comment section, Love this!!”

Similarly, WWE’s Nikki Garcia wrote, “Damn girl! 🔥🙌🏼.” These comments expressed not only admiration for Rousey’s dedication but also a shared fear that her energy will flow back into the cage. Across the MMA landscape, the praise was just as loud. Former UFC fighter Joanna Jedrzejczyk responded simply but emphatically with “👏👏,” and BKFC’s Ryan Benoit praised her, “Incredible!! @rondarouseySuch an incredible athlete.” The message was clear: Rousey still commands admiration from the combat world.

However, earlier this month, on ‘The Lapsed Fan’ podcast, Rousey stated that she won’t be featuring on the White House card. She revealed she had better things to do and wouldn’t consider the opportunity even if offered. Well, that will surely disappoint many fans. After all, what could be better than a potential return on one of the biggest stages? But with her already juggling motherhood, fitness, and other avenues, she seems to have left MMA far behind. What do you think?