Rousey falls in UFC return to Nunes

More than 13 months after she had fallen in such stunning fashion, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey made her return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s octagon.

In a career defined by first-round destruction, Rousey had stopped opponents inside a minute an astounding eight times.

But upon a fateful Friday night in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena at UFC 207, a bloodied and wobbled Rousey found herself stopped inside a minute for the first time and felled via knockout for the second straight bout when she was halted at the 48-second mark of the opening round by defending champion Amanda Nunes in the UFC women’s bantamweigth championship main event.

“This moment is my moment,” Nunes screamed in her postfight, in-cage interview.

Rousey (12-2, 6-2 in UFC) was defeated in November of 2015 by Holly Holm, who knocked out Rousey in one of mixed martial arts’ greatest upsets. The loss stopped arguably the UFC’s biggest star’s undefeated run of terror in which she had won 11 of 12 bouts in the first round and the other via third-round stoppage.

In the months that followed, Rousey made only brief appearances – most notably on “Saturday Night Live,” “Ellen,” and “Conan” – and did virtually no media leading up to the title fight with Nunes (14-4, 7-1).

On Friday, Rousey looked to be in possibly the best shape of her career, ultra-focused and ready. However, she came out somewhat tentatively in comparison to many of her fights prior to Holm and Nunes connected with her right hand early and often until referee Herb Dean called a stop to the bout just 48 ticks into the opening round.

Long regarded as a fast starter as well, Nunes, who defeated Rousey’s archrival Miesha Tate for the title in July, registered her 11th career first-round stoppage and her 10th career knockout win. However, three of Nunes’ losses came against foes who Rousey easily dispatched, but none of that mattered on Friday.

In Rousey’s absence, Holm lost her title to Tate, who then lost to Nunes, but Nunes joined Rousey as the only women’s bantamweight champions to successfully defend the UFC title as Rousey’s run of dominance saw her record six consecutive UFC title defenses.

During the walkout, which included Rousey’s traditional “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, Rousey was cheered wildly as she marched to the cage in quick fashion as usual. Nunes was booed heavily during her walk.

The two touched gloves during instructions, but Nunes went to touch gloves again at the bout’s onset and Rousey maintained range, where as in the past she has rushed forward looking to clinch and use her judo skills.

Nunes landed quickly with a left jab, threw a one-two and just 12 seconds in tagged Rousey with an overhand right. She landed well again and a few seconds later, Rousey kicked Nunes to the stomach but caught a counter overhand right.

Rousey tried to clinch high, but Nunes easily shrugged her off. Nunes then landed consecutive right crosses that clearly hurt Rousey. Rousey tried to grab Nunes, but the latter stepped back to maintain her range. A big left hook caught the chin of Rousey and then another right hand snapped back Rousey’s head as the former champion wobbled badly.

Nunes walked her down, stayed at range and landed at least four more brutal right hands, the most damaging sending Rousey into the cage, which she used to stay standing. Another huge punch buckled Rousey’s left knee and Dean intervened. Rousey somehow never went down, but struggled to find her footing moments after the bout was called.

Nunes quickly put her index finger to her lips to quiet the crowd. She would later embrace Rousey and then celebrated wildly.

While Holm’s win was dominant, it was far more strategic and cerebral. Nunes’ victory was a savage and flawless win. But both of them were stunning and essentially ended 2015 and 2016, respectively, with Rousey’s future in question.

“This is amazing,” Nunes said. “She had her time; she did a lot for the sport. Thank you Ronda Rousey,” Nunes said. “But right now, I’m the champion and I’m here to stay.”

Though the path blazed by Rousey will forever remain in the chronicles of the sport world, what lays ahead is perhaps in greater quandary than it was before her much-anticipated return.