Report: Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey in talks to face Katie Taylor in boxing match

Ronda Rousey is reportedly in talks to make a return to competitive fighting.

Here’s what you need to know.

Ronda Rousey

Rousey, a former UFC bantamweight champion and Olympic bronze medalist in judo, is in talks to fight former undisputed light welterweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor.

Rousey previously used boxing as part of her mixed martial arts training, but she has never fought professionally.

The 38-year-old retired from MMA after suffering back-to-back losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016. She finished her MMA career with a 12-2 record and became the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

Rousey then spent five years with World Wrestling Entertainment, debuting at WrestleMania 34 in 2018 and last appearing in 2023. She announced her WWE retirement this past September.

Rousey hasn’t given any concrete answers on her future, but she began training again in recent months.

Katie Taylor

Taylor should open as a significant favourite if the fight is agreed to. The 39-year-old, who is massively popular in her home of Ireland, is 25-1 with six knockouts in her professional boxing career.

Taylor last fought in July at Madison Square Garden, defeating Amanda Serrano by majority decision to retain her undisputed super lightweight belt. However, she announced in September she was taking a hiatus from the sport.

Netflix, which broadcast the last Taylor-Serrano fight, is believed to be interested in a Rousey-Taylor bout as a summer event.