While Ronda Rousey's striking skills were called into question following her knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, the former champion's motivation to return to action remains her biggest question mark moving forward.
Having lost her belt and perfect mixed martial arts (MMA) record on the same night against a vastly underrated women's bantamweight title challenger, Rousey has a long road ahead to regain her confidence inside of the Octagon. Maybe that's why her official comeback date has been tossed around more times than a college hacky sack.
During a sit down with Robin Roberts at the Women in Action female empowerment meeting yesterday (Fri., July 15, 2016) in Chicago (h/t CBS Sports), Rousey shed some light on her mental motivation leading up to one of the biggest returns in MMA history.
"I want to win my belt back," said Rousey when asked what she would like to do in a career that has already seen her accomplish so much (shown in the above video, courtesy of Fancy MMA).
In Rousey's absence, the women's 135-pound title has changed hands every time it has been defended. After Holm beat Rousey she lost to Miesha Tate at UFC 196 via fifth-round submission. Tate then lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 200 via first-round submission after getting pummeled on the feet. Needless to say, the division has been in an unpredictable turbulence ever since the original queen was overthrown.
But don't worry. Rousey seems to have her pieces in place for a monumental return to MMA.
"My mom pulled me to the side of the mat and said, 'I'm going to tell you what my coach told me. Winning is a b*tch but revenge is a motherf**ker," added Rousey when discussing a moment from her childhood that has helped fuel her comeback.
No matter when Rousey returns, which could possibly happen at UFC 205 in New York City this November, the MMA world will be set on fire.
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