There has been speculation that Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar may consider a UFC return, with UFC 300 coming up in early 2024, an expected loaded card.
Rousey hasn’t fought since suffering back-to-back losses. She was dethroned of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title by Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015 as Holm knocked her out with a head kick before she suffered a 48-second TKO loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016.
Rousey’s last match was a loss to Shayna Baszler this past Summer at SummerSlam. Rousey is no longer under contract with WWE and is working selective independent wrestling dates.
Lesnar holds a 5-3 (1 NC) pro-MMA record, including a run for the UFC World Heavyweight Title. He retired from MMA following a loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 and returned to WWE in 2012. Lesnar came out of retirement for a fight at UFC 200 in 2016.
Lesnar’s last match was a loss to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. Lesnar is expected to return to WWE in January for the Royal Rumble and road to WrestleMania 40.
While speaking with Sports Illustrated, UFC President Dana White ruled out the possibility of a Rousey or Lesnar UFC return.
“I get why everybody asks,” said White. “I love that everybody loves them like that, and with so much passion. I do, too. But they’re definitely not coming back for UFC 300.”
White added, “I’m focused on Madison Square Garden. But no, they’re not coming back.”
