Ronda Rousey next fight rumors: Former UFC bantamweight champion intends to take back belt

A shocking head kick may have given the champion's belt to challenger Holly Holm, but Ronda Rousey intends to take it back from whoever is holding it in due time. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight champion defended that belt for a total of six fights, one after another, for three years from 2013 to 2015. Since that time, no one has held on to the title for very long, with the last eight months seeing as many as four different champions.

Rousey has not set foot inside the octagon ever since November's shattering defeat, the first for the 29-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. However, UFC President Dana White assured her devastated fans that "Rowdy," as she is aptly nicknamed in the sport, will have a shot at the title when she gets back.

At the UFC 200 post-event show, White said of Rousey, "Yeah, Ronda's going to make that decision. Hopefully — I would like to see her fight this year, but it could be early next year too."

No word is available at the moment regarding Rousey's plans or schedule, but when she does return, White has guaranteed her an immediate shot at whoever is the title holder then.

Presently, it is Amanda Nunes, who grabbed the title at the UFC 200, after pounding Miesha Tate and subjecting her to a choke hold three minutes and 16 seconds into the first round. Before that match, Tate had won the belt from Holly Holm.

At the moment, the possible fighters Nunes may face to defend her title for the first time are down to three: Rousey, if she decides to return soon, Holm, and Julianna Pena.

Holm stands to get a better shot at reclaiming the title should she best Valentina Shevchenko at UFC's Fox 20 headliner scheduled this Saturday, July 23. Pena can only take the chance if both Rousey and Holm are unable to take the title shot.

With speculations of Rousey's return placing her comeback early 2017 yet, it is possible Holm and Nunes will have gotten a go at the title by then. If it so happens that Holm will take Nunes before Rousey gets back, Rowdy will face Holm instead and have her sweet revenge.