Chael Sonnen Dismisses Ronda Rousey‘s Potential UFC Return
Former UFC middleweight and light-heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen has cautioned against expectations of a Ronda Rousey return to the Octagon, stating that athletes are often “forced out” rather than choosing to retire. Sonnen’s comments come following recent social media activity from Rousey that has fueled speculation about a possible comeback.
Sonnen, who experienced a career trajectory marked by both success and eventual knockout defeats, understands the arduous reality of aging in a demanding sport. He explained in a recent youtube video that a desire to return doesn’t equate to a viable comeback, asserting, “There is just this idea that when somebody goes out there and breaks a sweat or they used to do this sport and they dangle this idea of a return…But then an adult steps in the room and goes ‘hey, it’s not a return.'” He emphasized that for moast fighters, it isn’t a matter of wanting to stop, but rather the sport ultimately moving on without them. “You were forced out, it’s not a retirement when they throw your a- out of the cage.There’s never a day when you wont to be done with this sport, you will wake up and find out one day that the sport is done with you.”
Sonnen did acknowledge exceptions to this rule, specifically citing Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jon Jones. He noted that these fighters all left the sport with championship titles, were in demand, and voluntarily chose to step away. “They all had belts, they all left on top and they were all wanted and welcomed to stay but they made their own decision that they were not going to.” Rousey, who hasn’t competed since a December 2016 loss to Amanda Nunes, does not fit this profile, according to Sonnen’s assessment.
