Ronda Rousey fought her last MMA bout against Gina Carano earlier this year. Now, UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern hopes to go against Rousey in a dream fight.
Earlier this year, the 39-year-old Rousey ended her much-awaited MMA hiatus by making a comeback against Carano. However, the return fight lasted minutes after Rousey tapped out Carano by locking her in her trademark armbar submission maneuver.
Ronda Rousey rose to stardom during her dominating run in Dana White’s UFC, and later joined the pro-wrestling promotion WWE. However, Rousey's dominant UFC run came crashing down after back-to-back defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes at UFC 190 and UFC 193. Despite her two defeats, she remained known as one of the toughest fighters in the sport.
Now UFC's Strawweight Champion, Dern recently opened up about wanting to cross paths with Rousey before leaving the sport. Dern has been with the UFC since 2018, long after Rousey had her last UFC fight. “Ronda Rousey is a lot bigger, but it would have been amazing to do like an exhibition match with her,” Dern said at Paramount+’s red carpet event for UFC 331.
Speaking to US Weekly at the same event, Dern also opened up about the prospect of joining WWE. “Oh yeah, that’d be fun. So much fun,” she said. “I mean, the Bella [Twins]. It’s so cool. I’d be able to once I retire.”
Article Continues BelowUFC legend Ronda Rousey's MMA future explained
Earlier this year, after her victory over Carano, Rousey reflected on the win on her Instagram. In a detailed post, Rousey opened up about sharing the cage with Carano as well as her retirement from the sport.
“The fight is over, it's bittersweet because for the first time the experience of preparing for the fight eclipsed the joy any victory could have brought. But I'm finally ready to move on, this time with my head held high. Thank you, Gina.”