Ronda Rousey has played down talk of a fighting return at the UFC White House card in 2026.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed last month that his promotion would travel to the White House for a historic event, which is expected to take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
US President Donald Trump initially revealed his desire to bring the UFC to the White House to celebrate 250 years of American Independence.
Since it has been made official, members of the MMA fraternity have been speculating as to who would feature on such an iconic UFC White House card.
One of the recurring names is none other than former UFC champion and women’s MMA pioneer Rousey, who hasn’t competed in White’s promotion since 2016, when Amanda Nunes knocked her out.
However, speaking on The Lapsed Fan podcast this week, ‘Rowdy’ revealed she’s unlikely to make a comeback for the card, but did insist that ‘you never say never.’
Ronda Rousey denies UFC White House return
“I am not fighting at the White House,” the 38-year-old from California said.
“After Mike Tyson being the biggest fight of the year, you never say never.
“But I ain’t fighting at the f***ing White House. Even if offered? I got better s*** to do.
“My kid needs pasta!”
Rousey is referring to Tyson’s record-breaking, yet controversial, bout with Jake Paul last November, which ended with the latter claiming a unanimous decision win over the 58-year-old.
‘Iron Mike’ has since confirmed his return to the ring next year to face Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout.
Rousey, meanwhile, had sparked bedlam among the MMA community through a series of training videos which suggested she was preparing for a UFC return.
UFC legend Chael Sonnen even claimed that he had spoken to ‘Rowdy’ about her return, saying she was eyeing up the winner of an anticipated bout between Nunes and Kayla Harrison.
“The absolute inner circle of Ronda has let it be known that she will take on the winner of Amanda and Kayla, as long as it’s Kayla,” he said.
“So in other words, ‘I’ll return to fight for the title, if Kayla needs an opponent,’ although that’s not how comebacks go.”
Nunes made her intentions clear to make a UFC return after Harrison submitted Julianna Pena to become the new women’s bantamweight champion in June.
But the whole idea now seems farcical based on Rousey’s comments this week.
Ronda Rousey's UFC career
No return for 'Rowdy'
- Loss. Amanda Nunes via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 207 in December 2016
- Loss. Holly Holm via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 193 in November 2015 (dropped bantamweight title)
- Def. Bethe Correia via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 190 in August 2015
- Def. Cat Zingano via first-round submission at UFC 184 in February 2015
- Def. Alexis Davis via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 175 in July 2014
- Def. Sara McMann via first-round TKO/KO at UFC 170 in February 2014
- Def. Miesha Tate via third-round submission at UFC 168 in December 2013
- Def. Liz Carmouche via first-round submission at UFC 157 in February 2013 (won bantamweight title on debut in first-ever women’s UFC fight)
This doesn’t mean that MMA fans can’t expect some massive returns for UFC White House.
Both Conor McGregor and Jon Jones have made it clear that they wish to come back for a fight on the card.