Video: Ronda Rousey throws 'SNL' cast member Beck Bennett before Saturday's show

Ronda Rousey may have her return to the octagon on hold for the time being, but she’ll take a crack at holding the sketch comedy world’s attention on Saturday.

The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion hosts the long-running NBC institution “Saturday Night Live” this week in New York with musical guest Selena Gomez. Check out the promos she cut with cast member Beck Bennett in the video above.

Rousey will be the first MMA fighter to host the show, one of a relatively small group of professional athletes to host, and just the third women’s athlete to host “SNL,” which started on NBC in 1975.

Rousey has been on the sidelines since her November title loss. Holly Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) pulled off one of 2015’s biggest upsets with a second-round head-kick knockout of heavy favorite and longtime champ Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) at the UFC 193 stadium show in Australia.

Her “SNL” appearance will be her first major appearance since the loss to Holm. Rousey has been rather quiet and out of the spotlight since the Nov. 14 setback, which was the first of her pro career. Prior to the defeat, the 28-year-old Olympic bronze medalist ran her pro record to 12-0 with 12 stoppages (11 in the first round) and notched six consecutive title defenses. During her title reign, she became the UFC’s biggest star and even landed a few film roles.

At “SNL,” she joins a 41-year-old institution. The live sketch comedy and variety show has featured a host of notable hosts, including more than a few athletes, though she’s the first from the MMA world.

As for her fighting career, she won’t return in July at UFC 200, as was once thought to be the case. Instead, she’s expected to be back before the end of the year – likely fighting for the title she once held against the winner of Holm and Rousey rival Miesha Tate, who co-headline UFC 197 in March for Holm’s belt.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.