Report: Ronda Rousey had to be consoled after her staredown with Amanda Nunes

In mid October, it was announced that former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey would be returning to action against reigning champion Amanda Nunes. The bout, which will mark Ronda Rousey’s first since she was knocked out by Holly Holm more than a year ago, will headline UFC 207 this December 30.

As this fight draws ever closer, there has been widespread speculation as to the mental condition of Rousey. When she is focused and motivated, she is undeniably the best female fighter in the world. We know, however, that her shocking loss to Holm had a profound effect on her psyche.

First, there was the complete radio silence that followed the loss. Nobody heard from Rousey for weeks after she was defeated, as she disappeared entirely from the public eye she once embraced. Then, there was her early 2016 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres show, during which she confessed that she’d had suicidal thoughts in the wake of the loss. Then, of course, there was her recent assertion that whatever the outcome of he bout with Nunes, it would be one of her last – hardly the words of a motivated fighter. Needless to say, there is plenty of reason to worry about Rousey’s headspace as her battle with the extremely dangerous Nunes looms on the horizon.

On Tuesday afternoon, we were given more reason to worry about Rousey’s state of mind, as the ever-reliable Dave Meltzer confirmed that a shaken Rousey needed to be consoled after her first staredown with Nunes, which occured in the buildup to UFC 205 earlier this month.

@davemeltzerWON any truth to the reports that Ronda was upset & had to be consoled after a face off in NY? If true, she's done.

— CD (@codoll53) November 23, 2016

True https://t.co/9wNmw6QPN3

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) November 23, 2016

“True”, Meltzer said firmly when asked if Rousey in fact needed to be comforted after her staredown with Nunes.

Needless to say, the reasons to question Rousey’s headspace continue to pile up. While she’s the only one who truly knows where she’s at mentally, there is real cause to believe that she is not fully invested in this return to action. If that’s the case, she’s likely in for a very rough night against the dangerous Amanda Nunes.

How do you think Rousey vs. Nunes goes down? Sound off in the comments section, PENN Nation!