3 Compelling Matchups For A Potential Ronda Rousey UFC Return (And 3 She Should Avoid)

5. Compelling: Julianna Pena

Ronda Rousey
UFC

"The Venezuelan Vixen" Julianna Pena was a cast member and the eventual winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate tournament, back in 2013. During the show, as a member of Team Tate, Pena eliminated Rousey's friend and fellow pro wrestler, Shayna Baszler.

Between being coached by Rousey's biggest rival, Miesha Tate and beating one of her best friends, this wouldn't be a difficult matchup to promote.

Moreover, Pena recently gave birth to her 1st child and hasn't fought since January of 2017 — so both women would be coming off of significant layoffs — assuming the fight were to take place in the near future. Before their departures, both competitors were top 10 fighters according to the UFC's official rankings, meaning this is a contest that likely would have happened had both women continued fighting.

Stylistically, Pena is a well-rounded fighter, but not a specialist in any one area. "The Venezuelan Vixen" isn't a knockout artist and she's doesn't have a world class striking pedigree for Rousey to content with. That being said, Julianna Pena is an athletic, scrappy fighter who is more than capable of giving WWE's leading lady all she can handle.

This fight has a compelling backstory and would be a winnable (albeit difficult) return match for Rousey.

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From 1999-2003 Jacques performed on the Florida independent pro wrestling circuit. He also has an amateur wrestling background and currently holds a certification in Krav Maga. Jacques graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003, with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. Follow him on twitter @goodeals79.