Ronda Rousey isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to assessing Joe Rogan’s martial arts expertise.
At the end of a mostly lighthearted podcast with comedian Bert Kreischer, the former bantamweight champion was asked what it would take for her to consider returning to the octagon. Rousey, 38, joked that if Kreischer was willing to put his property up for grabs, she might consider it.
“I will beat the shit out of you in your backyard for this house,” Rousey said when Kreischer proposed a fight. “Let’s go. … Right now. Now or never.”
Kreischer then said he had been messaging Rogan, a famous podcaster and longtime UFC commentator, about how long Kreischer would have to train to have a chance against Rousey. That’s when Rousey went for the jugular.
“He wouldn’t know,” Rousey said. “He’s not an expert, he’s a fan with an audience.”
That response drew a chuckle from Kreischer, who tried to defend his friend, citing Rogan’s background in competitive Taekwondo, to which Rousey had an even colder response.
“He never fought,” Rousey said. “That’s not fighting.”
Rousey last fought almost nine years ago, when she lost by first-round knockout to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. That was her second straight loss, following a devastating head kick KO courtesy of Holly Holm a year prior. Before that misfortune, Rousey had won her first 12 fights, including several UFC title defenses in spectacular fashion. Rousey’s dominance and larger-than-life personality made her one of the world’s most famous athletes in her UFC prime from 2013-2015.
Following the conclusion of her fighting career, Rousey went on to have a successful stint with WWE, becoming the first woman to headline WrestleMania alongside Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in 2019. She last wrestled in 2023 and has remained mostly out of the limelight until recently, when she released training footage that had fans buzzing about a potential comeback.
But Rousey can’t imagine actually booking herself for a real fight ever again.
“I have everything I want,” Rousey said. “There’s nothing that would really change my lifestyle. If you said a billion dollars, I would do it. … A billion dollars. See? I’m really good at negotiation.”
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Mailbag. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew answers your questions about UFC 321 and more.
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Results. Check out the full results from DBX 4 in Nashville, where Gable Steveson and Bryan Battle got quick wins.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck talks to DBX’s Mike Perry.
Daniel Cormier chats with Chris Weidman.
Craig Jones breaks down the Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista duel.
Is it science or Xyience?
UFC 321 Fight Motion
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Thank you, GSP.
Stop wasting eggs!
Important techniques to learn.
Arnold Allen wants that Diego Lopes smoke.
Get well soon, champ.
For the rematch.
Have you ever wanted to see Chase Hooper berimbolo a shooting target? Well, now you have.
Halloween!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ronda is right.
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