Ronda Rousey will miss UFC 205, return in early 2017 (Updated)

Former women’s Bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, appears to be getting back into cage condition, but it could be more long-term maintenance than actual preparation for a return to the Octagon sometime soon.

That’s according to promotion president Dana White, who spilled the beans on this week’s episode of “UFC Unfiltered.”

“She’s definitely not fighting in New York,” White said. “I’m actually going to start building the New York card this week. Maybe when I get the New York card done, I’ll jump back on with you guys and announce it. But nothing yet.”

Most fight fans expected Rousey to return at UFC 205 (details here), the promotion’s first ever — and monumental — pay-per-view (PPV) event at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., on Nov. 12, 2015. “Rowdy” was very involved in the process to get the sport legalized in “The Empire State” and it seemed like a logical date and time to return to the Octagon after a year-long layoff.

However, minor knee surgery — and other obligations — will seemingly ensure that Rousey does not compete at all in 2016. That’s quite a change for a box office draw who would typically average two appearances each year.

Sorry, Amanda.

*Note: Article first appeared on Aug. 15, updated to reflect comments from UFC President Dana White.