Ronda Rousey vs. Amanda Nunes: UFC Executive Claudia Gadelha Teases Epic Grappling Showdown

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Claudia Gadelha, head of the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, recently floated the idea of a grappling match between Rousey and Nunes under the UFC Jiu-Jitsu rule set. Gadelha’s suggestion has sparked widespread interest, given the storied histories of both athletes.

Rousey, an Olympic bronze medalist in judo, transitioned her grappling prowess seamlessly into MMA, becoming the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Amanda Nunes, known for her striking power, also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, underscoring her versatility on the ground.

The prospect of these two icons clashing in a pure grappling setting offers fans a unique opportunity to witness a technical showcase, contrasting Rousey’s judo-based submissions against Nunes’ BJJ expertise.

Ronda Rousey’s Return to Training: Fueling Speculation

Adding fuel to the speculative fire, Rousey recently shared footage of her training with former opponent Cat Zingano. In the video, Rousey is seen hitting mitts and engaging in grappling drills, signaling a possible rekindling of her combat sports passion. She captioned the post:

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“Thank you @alphacatzingano for stopping by and helping me relearn how to move—I forgot how fun it could be.”

– Ronda Rousey

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This unexpected return to training has ignited discussions about Rousey’s potential involvement in future grappling events, especially considering her hiatus from active competition since 2016.

Revisiting UFC 207 Nunes Vs Rousey: A Brief but Impactful History

The only MMA bout between Rousey and Nunes occurred at UFC 207 in December 2016, where Nunes secured a victory via TKO just 48 seconds into the first round. This decisive win marked the end of Rousey’s MMA career and solidified Nunes’ status as a dominant force in women’s MMA.

“I don’t really know what’s going on in Ronda Rousey’s life right now. I know she has a family now and a lot of other things going on,” said Claudia Gadelha. “But for the fans that really love grappling, really love Jiu-Jitsu, really love Judo, how amazing would it be to watch Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes going against each other under the UFC Jiu-Jitsu rule set?”

However, a grappling-only match would eliminate striking from the equation, allowing both athletes to focus solely on their submission skills—a scenario that intrigues many fans and analysts.

The MMA community has been abuzz with reactions to the proposed grappling match. On Reddit, discussions have emerged comparing the ground games of both fighters. One user commented:

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“Ronda is another level when it comes to grappling. I don’t care if Nunes has a black belt in BJJ.”

– Reddit User

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These debates highlight the contrasting grappling styles of Rousey and Nunes, with fans eager to see how their skills would match up in a submission-only setting.

The UFC Fight Pass Invitational: A Platform for Legends

The UFC Fight Pass Invitational has been instrumental in organizing high-profile grappling matches, providing a platform for both current fighters and legends to showcase their skills beyond MMA competition.

A Rousey vs. Nunes grappling match would not only draw significant attention but also elevate the status of grappling events within the broader combat sports landscape. A match of this caliber could have profound implications for women’s grappling, inspiring a new generation of female athletes to pursue submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

It would also underscore the technical depth and entertainment value of grappling arts, potentially leading to increased viewership and participation.

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“Damn! I’ll pay to watch that. Would you?”

– Claudia Gadelha

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A Hypothetical Match Worth Considering

While no official announcements have been made, the mere discussion of a Rousey vs. Nunes grappling match has captivated the combat sports world. Both athletes have left indelible marks on MMA history, and a grappling contest between them would offer fans a chance to witness a unique and highly technical battle.

As Rousey continues to share glimpses of her training and Gadelha’s proposal gains traction, the possibility, however remote, of this dream match keeps the combat sports community buzzing with anticipation.