Dolce: Rousey Return is “50/50”
After Ronda Rousey’s devastating loss to Amanda Nunes, the overwhelming sentiment was that it would be her last UFC fight ever. Though she has been silent since the knockout defeat, one of Rousey’s coaches has said that fans should not write off the former champion just yet.
Appearing on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, nutrition coach Mike Dolce said that Rousey has the proper support system around her following her second defeat in a row.
“She’s in a great place. She has an amazing support system around her, truly,” Dolce said. “I think she’s at an excellent point in her life. And this is my personal opinion: What happened in Australia against, Holly, that was like a death. It was a death — and she had said — of who she wanted to be and what she wanted to be.”
Rousey lost to Holly Holm last November, ending her undefeated streak and sending her into cold isolation. She emerged this year in a few public appearances, but her return to the cage was kept in question until the fall, when Dana White announced that she would take on Nunes at UFC 207.
The fight went even worse than the first loss had. Nunes caught Rousey with a jab right away, and then a right hand, and another, and again until Rousey was barely able to stand. The fight was stopped in 48 seconds.
Despite being completely run over by Nunes, Rousey had taken the proper steps to prepare, according to Dolce.
“She did everything and had every opportunity to be perfectly prepared,” Dolce said, “and she was for this fight. Kudos have to go to Amanda Nunes for putting on an amazing performance and going out there and getting the win over Ronda Rousey, who was well-prepared.”
Rousey’s only address to the MMA world came in a statement she released to ESPN the day after the fight. She did not confirm whether or not she was done fighting, saying that she needed to “take time and reflect”.
Dolce, who knows Rousey well given their long professional relationship, said that retirement is as likely for Rousey as a quick return.
“I wouldn’t be surprised either way. I want to make sure that’s contextual. If she says ‘I want to be back for Super Bowl weekend or the July 4th card’, I would not be surprised in the slightest. If she says ‘I’ve done my thing in MMA, I’m gonna retire a legend in the sport, specifically for WMMA,’ I wouldn’t be surprised either. I truly think it’s 50-50 right now.”