Just three months ago, Ronda Rousey admitted, “I am like deep in mom mode. I’m not in the studio, you know, I’m working out in my garage and I’m just trying to reclaim my body from motherhood.” At 38, the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo has already conquered the UFC Octagon and even headlined WrestleMania. But after welcoming her second daughter, Rousey found herself in a new kind of battle. No, it’s not against an opponent, but against the feeling of losing herself. However, it seems she’s turning a corner, looking stronger and more determined than ever.

Rousey’s UFC career ended in 2016 following tough knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Later, she admitted the toll her judo career had taken, with multiple concussions even before stepping into MMA. Shifting gears, she stormed into WWE in 2018, debuting at WrestleMania 34 and going on to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships, along with the 2022 Royal Rumble. Ultimately, when many assumed her career was over after her second baby, Rousey shut down the chatter by posting training clips. Now, with her latest round of strength training updates, she’s showing an even better version of herself, fueling speculation about what could come next.

Ronda Rousey finds her fire again

Ronda Rousey returned to training just eight weeks after her latest pregnancy, and a few hours ago, she shared a new clip on Instagram that quickly caught fans’ attention. In it, she revealed she hadn’t hit mitts in eight years but is now sharpening her boxing under the guidance of coach AJ Matthews. The former UFC champion has been steadily improving her pad work over the last several months, and in her caption she reflected, “From 8 weeks after having a baby and 8 years of stepping away from MMA to 8 months postpartum and finding my love for it again.”

She opened up about the journey with honesty, writing, “The first clip is my first session working with @aj_mma. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed of how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū.” But her most recent session told a different story. “Second clip was yesterday, I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days,” she said, adding that the last six months have been “an absolute blast” and that she finally feels free to grow without any pressure holding her back.

Rousey ended her post with a quote: ““What we learn with pleasure we never forget” – Alfred Mercier.” Though it’s been more than 3,000 days since she last stepped into the Octagon, fans can’t help but speculate about what these updates mean. Could she be preparing for one final comeback – whether in the UFC, WWE, or even a special White House card?

Is Ronda Rousey still elite? or just a memory?

For now, the buzz around Ronda Rousey is louder than it’s been in years. After her latest training update, one fan even suggested that if Rousey does make a comeback, she should revisit the matchup that never happened in 2016. In case you don’t remember, instead of facing Holly Holm as originally scheduled, she had been forced to take on Amanda Nunes, and ultimately lost. So now, the fan wrote, “Rousey vs. Holly Holm UNC vs. UNC matchup on the White House card, see if she can get her get back.”

Others were quick to applaud her resilience and determination. One supporter praised her for showing the courage to step back onto the mats postpartum, instead of feeling drained or fatigued at home. “This will be an awesome and inspiring comeback,” the fan wrote. Another highlighted her progress in striking, commenting, “If you get your boxing game back on top, you will be the baddest chick on the planet again.”

Excitement also spread among fans who see her potential return to WWE. “It will be that soon you will surprise us with your return to @wwe, it would be in Royal Rumble 2026,” one wrote. Another fan, tying her progress directly to the much-hyped White House UFC card scheduled for June next year, posted, “Someone is getting ready for the White House card! Let’s go!” Though Dana White has yet to confirm the names for that historic event, Ronda Rousey’s comeback would certainly draw major attention, especially since it would mark her return after nearly a decade away from the Octagon.

Not all comments were positive, though. “You’re in beast mode shape, time to come back to WWE 🥺🥺,” one user cheered, while another was more skeptical, writing, “She looks kinda washed to be honest but I could be wrong.” The mixed reactions reflect both the excitement and doubt surrounding Rousey’s future, with many wondering how close she is to her peak form.

Of course, a bit of fatigue and a dip in energy compared to her prime years is expected given all that she’s been through. But with nine full months left before the White House card, Rousey has plenty of time to sharpen her skills and regain her fighting edge – if a comeback is truly the plan. So do you think Ronda Rousey is preparing for one last run, or is she simply training to stay fit?