Rousey returns to challenge Nunes for former crown, Cruz clashes with Garbrandt at UFC 207

Rousey has since been absent from the sport, starring in Hollywood movies and nursing several reported injuries during her time away, but she is 11/10 to return with a submission success over South American champion Nunes.

The now 29-year-old is involved in an unusual media blackout ahead of her return, officially shunning any press duties, but she did briefly outline her intentions when facing off with Nunes.

“I don’t care about anything except for winning this fight and I’m not spending energy on anything else,” stated Rousey.

The California-born fighter reigned as bantamweight title holder for three years and stormed her way to six consecutive defences in the UFC before that Holm stoppage. She is 11/2 to KO her Brazilian foe on her anticipated first outing in over a year.

Nunes out to spoil Rousey return

Having recovered from a previous loss to Cat Zingano back in 2014, Nunes has rampantly rallied to top of the pile in the division, securing wins over Shayna Baszler, Sara McMann and Valentina Shevchenko before dethroning Tate to reign supreme as champion.

The 28-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt will take to the octagon at 5/1 to submit Rousey and is highly confident of ruining Rousey’s comeback dream.

“I’ve been training jiu-jitsu since I started. Jiu-jitsu and judo together,” she said. “I know how to block the judo throws very well. I know how to use my hips very well. I know if Ronda Rousey comes back I’m going to keep the belt.

“I’m going to beat Ronda Rousey and wait for the next [challenge]. I’m going to prove everybody one more time I deserve to be here.”

Fresh off the back of her title victory over Tate, Nunes will hold no fear of facing Rousey on her return to the octagon, with UFC 207 set to see these two women’s forces collide on Vegas soil.

Garbrandt looks to dethrone champion Cruz

In the co-headline event in Nevada, UFC bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz (22-1) defends his crown against dangerous challenger and long-standing rival Cody Garbrandt (10-0).

The defending title holder boasts wins over many of Garbrandt’s stablemates, most recently over now retired fighter Urijah Faber, and he is odds-on 10/11 to earn a trademark points decision triumph in his latest outing.

Although, undefeated contender Garbrandt has been one of the most eye-catching prospects of late, knocking out all who has stood before. Following three straight first-round stoppage victories over Augusto Mendes, Thomas Almeida and Takeya Mizugaki, the Ohio-born challenger is 21/10 to KO Cruz here.

The pair have been involved in a heated war of words for some time now but will finally put that to bed, as they collide for the UFC bantamweight crown in Sin City.

Related

Read our extensive UFC archive ahead of the action in Sin City.