Former Ultimate Fighting Championship star Ronda Rousey has definitively dismissed speculation about her participation in the planned UFC event at the White House, which was originally scheduled for July 4, 2026, but is now expected to take place in June 2026. During a recent appearance on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey emphatically stated: “I ain’t fighting on the (expletive) White House.”
The 38-year-old retired fighter addressed rumors about her potential comeback during the September 8, 2025, podcast appearance, where she was promoting her new graphic novel. When asked directly if anyone had reached out to her about the White House event, Rousey indicated she would not be participating in the historic fight card.
The UFC event is set to take place at the White House in 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. President Donald Trump has previously indicated that the event will be a full fight with approximately 20,000 to 25,000 people in attendance. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is intimately involved in planning the event, with UFC President Dana White visiting the White House last week to discuss arrangements.
When podcast hosts asked why she wouldn’t want to participate even if offered, Rousey explained that she had better priorities. She indicated that her children needed her attention, specifically mentioning that her kid needs pasta. The former champion made clear that family responsibilities now take precedence over any potential return to competition.
Despite ruling out the White House event, Rousey left the door slightly open for a potential UFC return in general. She referenced Mike Tyson’s recent high-profile boxing match against Jake Paul, noting that after Tyson participated in what became one of the biggest fights of the year, one can never say never about comebacks in combat sports.
Rousey has not competed in mixed martial arts since December 2016, when she suffered a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. That defeat came just over a year after her shocking knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015, which ended her undefeated streak and bantamweight championship reign. The back-to-back knockout losses marked an abrupt end to what had been a dominant career.
The former champion remains one of the most iconic names in UFC and WWE history, despite her retirement. She blazed a trail as the UFC’s first women’s bantamweight champion and drew massive crowds with her signature armbar victories. Her influence on women’s mixed martial arts is considered transformative for the sport.
This is not the first time comeback rumors have surrounded Rousey. Similar speculation emerged in 2024 regarding her potential participation in the UFC 300 card. At that time, UFC President Dana White publicly denied rumors about Rousey’s return, stating definitively that she would not be making a comeback.
Adding to recent speculation, Rousey gave birth to her second child, a daughter, in January 2025. Just six weeks after delivery, she began sharing workout videos online, documenting her return to physical fitness. By August 2025, she was celebrating a six-month body transformation, crediting MMA training for her progress and inadvertently reigniting discussions about her comeback among fans.
The UFC White House event represents an unprecedented spectacle in the history of mixed martial arts. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told The Wall Street Journal that this will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history. The card is expected to feature both male and female fighters, with Ivanka Trump reportedly assisting with the planning.
Multiple high-profile fighters have expressed interest in competing at this event. Stars including Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Michael Chandler, and Colby Covington have all called for spots on the historic bill. The demand to fight on the card has been described as unprecedented in the sport.
Beyond the octagon, Rousey has remained active in entertainment ventures. She transitioned to professional wrestling with WWE and was recently featured in VICE TV’s documentary series “Dark Side of the Cage,” where she discussed the pressures of being one of UFC’s biggest stars.
While Rousey’s definitive rejection of the White House event disappointed some fans hoping for her return, her comments about never saying never regarding future opportunities suggest the possibility remains for a comeback under different circumstances. For now, the former champion appears to be focused on her family responsibilities and other ventures outside of competitive fighting.
