Ex-champ Ronda Rousey returns for title fight with Amanda Nunes at UFC 207

Ronda Rousey’s return to the UFC is official, and the former champ will have the opportunity to regain the women’s bantamweight title in her comeback bout.

Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who hasn’t been seen in the octagon since a shocking second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November, will challenge current 135-pound titleholder Amanda Nunes(13-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the main event of December’s UFC 207 event.

UFC President Dana White today announced the news on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd on FS1.

UFC 207 takes place Dec. 30, a Friday, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, though the bout order hasn’t been finalized.

Rousey, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, has largely been out of sight and out of mind since she had her undefeated record and UFC belt taken away in stunning fashion due to a Holm head kick at UFC 193.

After starting her career on a 12-fight winning streak including six title defenses and three consecutive sub-minute wins leading up the fight with Holm, “Rowdy” appeared untouchable by her peers. All that came crashing down courtesy of “The Preacher’s Daughter,” though, and in the 11 months since Rousey has infrequently appeared in the spotlight.

Despite some doubt from outsiders, UFC boss White always reiterated that Rousey would eventually return to the octagon, he just didn’t know exactly when. He also didn’t know exactly who Rousey would face other than whichever fighter held the championship at the time.

The answers to both those questions are now clear, because the event is UFC 207 and the opponent is Nunes.

No. 1-ranked Nunes captured the women’s bantamweight strap when she steamrolled Miesha Tate for a first-round submission in the main event of the monumental UFC 200 fight card in July, making her the first Brazilian female to capture a UFC belt.

Various names were suggested for Nunes first title defense, such as Julianna Pena and Valentina Shevchenko. However, “Lionness” made it clear she wanted to wait for the return of Rousey, and ultimately she got her wish.

For more on UFC 207, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.