Ronda Rousey likely not fighting until 2017

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has not fought in the Octagon since losing the belt to Holly Holm back in November 2015.

Prior to her fight against Holm at UFC 193, Rousey told Rolling Stone she would be taking time off and wanted to “disappear for a while” as she had movie projects to take care of. “Rowdy” even made it known that she wanted to stay outside of the Octagon until UFC 200, but UFC President Dana White didn’t sound positive that Rousey would even be back to fight in 2016 in an interview on SportsCenter on Thursday.

“I’m hoping we’re going to get Ronda back this year,” White told “SportsCenter” (transcribed by FOX Sports). “She actually, she just had surgery on her knee yesterday. Nothing serious just get in there and scope it, clean it out a little bit.”

Rousey had mentioned previously that she would like to fight at UFC 205 in New York, which takes place in November. However, it does not sound like she will be ready to fight by then.

“She feels great, her spirits are great, she’s been training so if she fights, I’m hoping she fights in either December, if not she would probably fight at the like the New Year’s show, beginning of the year or something.”

White made it clear where Rousey stands in the title picture, even if being inactive from competition for over a year.

“If Miesha Tate’s still the champion, she’ll fight Miesha Tate. Whoever has the belt is who Ronda Rousey will fight,” White said. “Injuries happen in this sport, somebody falls out and somebody else slides in, I’m not even saying Holly Holm couldn’t be the champion by the time Ronda comes back.

“Whoever holds that belt when Ronda’s ready.”