ROUNDTABLE – (Batch 3): Does Ronda Rousey deserve to receive an immediate title rematch if she returns at UFC 207?

TOPIC: Does Ronda Rousey deserve an immediate title shot if she agrees to return at UFC 207? If so, why? If not, why not and who should get shot before her and who should she fight first to earn a title shot?

The following is the third of three batches of MMATorch writers responding to this topic…

MATTHEW ECOCHARD, MMATorch contributor

Ronda Rousey was dominant for so long as champion and, when you add in her drawing power, it isn’t hard to see why the UFC would grant her an immediate title fight. I don’t think she deserves it, though. She was finished in such a brutal beating from bell-to-bell and it’s been so long off that she should take a fight prior to shake off any rust and make sure she can still compete the way she did prior to that loss. The challenger she should take on to earn that title fight should be a new face in Julianna Pena.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor

I think so. She reigned over the division for so long that I think she’s deserving. I think she’s at least as deserving as anyone else in the division, if not more so. Plus, her return will pull in big numbers and have the chance to make her an even bigger star. It just makes sense in all ways. She’s deserving, as the long time champion. And it’ll do big business. One of those reasons is enough to justify an immediate title shot for her upon her return. Both makes it a no-brainer.

CHRISTOPHER KING, MMATorch contributor

Yes, if Ronda Rousey comes back at UFC 207 or UFC 307 for that matter, she can have a title shot, if that is what she wants. Without Rousey, there is no women’s division in the UFC. Without Rousey, nobody would have cared all that much about women fighting in MMA. Without her, the top five active women in the division right now would have a hell of a lot less money in their pockets. They need to all lineup, say “Thank you” to Rousey, and get out of the damn way for Rousey to take her shot at her shiny gold belt that the imposters can’t seem to get a grip on.

NICK GRINUPS, MMATorch contributor

There are two sides to this. First, Rousey is still one of the biggest draws in the UFC and Amanda Nunes being the new champion and not as popular. I think you need to allow Rousey to bring the attention back to the 135 division. This makes the most sense to me. On the other hand, Rousey has not fought in over a year and the woman that knocked her out, Holly Holm, has been winless since that historic event at UFC 193. But as we saw in 2015 and 2016 money talks, so book Ronda Rousey for a title shot.

ABRAHAM RUVALCABA, MMATorch contributor

I believe Ronda does deserve a title shot. While she did get starched by Holm, up before that she was undefeated and nobody even came close to beating her. It makes sense ranking-wise and also money-wise. Rousey is a top three draw in the UFC and it seems like a no brainer try and get the strap around her waist again. If she doesn’t get the title shot, she should either rematch Holm or fight someone she has yet to face.

NOW CATCH UP ON THE PREVIOUS BATCH OF RESPONSES TO THIS SAME TOPICS:  ROUNDTABLE – (Batch 2): Does Ronda Rousey deserve to receive an immediate title rematch if she returns at UFC 207?