Ronda Rousey Get Quick Win, But Not Quick Turnaround

Ronda Rousey is indeed the Queen of the UFC. When she will next defend her crown is up in the air.

Rousey, who defeated Alexis Davis in UFC 175 over the weekend, did so in 16 seconds. Many people began to wonder if she could compete in UFC 176, which is three weeks away on August 2. At first, Rousey was seemingly interested, but then announced she would be having two surgeries done soon, which would not allow her to compete in the next UFC match, according to the sherdog.com website.

After the UFC 175 pay-per-view, the word was Rousey required nine stitches on her right index finger. Rousey said ‘”I developed a cyst under my knuckle. I kept dismissing it, and I ripped it open on the first overhand right.” Rousey went on to confirm that she is having surgery done on her right knee, but the surgery is more maintenance than repair. “It’s something I need to get taken care of,” Rousey said. “I can’t put it off forever. I’d rather do it now or else it’ll just keep getting worse.”

According to the Las Vegas Sun, even if Rousey was able to fight, none of the top three contenders would be ready to compete. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and Gina Carano have not yet signed with UFC. Undefeated top contender Cat Zingano is still recovering from a ACL tear, as well as grieving her late husband. Zingano is not expected to return until September at the earliest.

The biggest issue from all this was that Rousey was asked the question at all “It didn’t seem very characteristic of the company when I got put on the spot,” Rousey said. “To be honest, I was very surprised.”

So was UFC president Dana White. And not in a good way. “It’s so mind-boggling that I don’t even want to think about it because I don’t want to be mad,” White said. “I’m having a great weekend.” White’s biggest issue was that people would think the promotion would want Rousey to do that quick turnaround and not be ready. With no fights billed for the next event, the request seemed plausible.

White, however, cannot fathom bringing up the possibility of having Rousey do that kind of turnaround, especially since he nor the members of his staff had even discussed it.

One thing is for certain; UFC needs to get Rousey a worthy opponent soon. “I want to retire undefeated and be known as one of the greatest of all time,” Rousey said. “That takes a lot more work than what I’ve done so far.”