LAS VEGAS – Ronda Rousey’s UFC comeback didn’t even last a minute.
Rousey was stopped 48 seconds into her first fight in 13 months Friday night, losing to bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on Friday night.
Rousey (12-2) never managed to get her footing against Nunes (14-4), who rocked Rousey with her very first punches. Rousey showed little defensive acumen as she staggered and stumbled backward with Nunes relentlessly pursuing her and landing multiple shots.
Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout with Rousey still on her feet, and Rousey briefly protested the stoppage before leaving the cage in her mother’s arms.
“Forget about Ronda Rousey!” a triumphant Nunes shouted to the sellout crowd. “She’s going to go do movies. Forget about her. She has a lot of money already.”
Cody Garbrandt won the men’s bantamweight title in the penultimate bout, battering champion Dominick Cruz to earn a surprising decision victory at T-Mobile Arena in the UFC’s traditional end-of-the-year show in its hometown.
But the sellout crowd was shocked when Rousey couldn’t compete in her first fight since losing her belt to Holly Holm 13 months ago in her first career defeat.
Rousey became arguably the world’s most famous female athlete and a combat sports trailblazer while she rocketed atop the UFC, but a year away from the sport apparently did little to heal the holes in her game. She made a guaranteed $3 million for her comeback bout, while Nunes’ guaranteed payday was just $200,000.
“I knew I was going to beat (Rousey),” Nunes said. “I’m the best on the planet.”
Rousey hadn’t fought since November 2015, when Holm stopped her with a head kick in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Rousey had never lost or been in much trouble while the former Olympic judo medalist earned a series of one-sided victories, but Holm’s veteran striking made Rousey look amateurish before the dramatic finish.
Rousey’s return fight was similar, but even quicker — and now Rousey’s future in the sport is clearly in question. The biggest star in the women’s game is likely considering retirement shortly before her 30th birthday.
Nunes claimed her belt with a violent stoppage of Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July, completing an unlikely ascent for a Brazilian veteran whose skills have improved in recent years. Nunes lost three fights earlier in her career to opponents beaten easily by Rousey, but Nunes’ work ethic and toughness propelled her into the biggest fight in the women’s game against Rousey.
Rousey nearly vanished from public view after her first loss, taking time away from the gym and attending to her acting career. After the bantamweight belt changed hands two more times in her absence, Rousey agreed to return for a shot at reclaiming her title. The UFC also was sold during her absence to WME-img, the entertainment conglomerate that also represents Rousey’s career.