Opinions abound after Rousey’s quick loss
Ronda Rousey is taking time off to ponder her future after her 48-second loss in her comeback fight at UFC 207 on Friday.
Amanda Nunes thinks Rousey must retire. Jon Jones believes Rousey should fight again.
The UFC’s biggest names have offered strong opinions about Rousey’s future after Nunes punched Rousey into submission in less than a minute. Rousey (12-2), once the most dominant fighter in the sport, has lost two straight bouts 13 months apart, looking unprepared and overmatched against both Holly Holm and Nunes.
After Nunes easily defended the bantamweight belt once held by Rousey, the champion encouraged her to move on.
“That’s it for her,” Nunes said Friday night. “For sure, she’s going to retire. She can’t take it anymore. If she wants the rematch, I’m going to do the same thing because she can’t take my punches.”
Other major figures in mixed martial arts disagree.
Jones was arguably the most feared fighter in the sport before failing a drug test last summer. The suspended former light heavyweight champion took to Twitter on Saturday to encourage Rousey.
“My advice to Ronda would be to pick yourself up and try again,” Jones wrote. “I think it’s important for Ronda to show her fans how great she truly is by displaying her courage and giving it another try.”
Rousey refused to discuss her loss with fans or reporters after making a guaranteed US$3 million along with undisclosed millions in bonuses and pay-per-view revenue from the UFC’s year-end show. She issued a statement to ESPN on Saturday.
“Returning to not just fighting, but winning, was my entire focus this past year,” Rousey wrote. “However, sometimes — even when you prepare and give everything you have and want something so badly — it doesn’t work how you planned.”
Nunes acknowledged feeling sorry for Rousey after landing 27 punches on the former champion in just 48 seconds.
Nunes spoke directly to Rousey in the cage after the loss.
“I told her, ‘You did a lot for this sport,’ ” Nunes said.
“‘Thank you so much. Now, take some time to rest and maybe do something else.’ ”