Ronda Rousey is set to compete under 'MMA rules' for the first time since retiring from fighting.
The former UFC bantamweight champion will face off against her ex-teammate Shayna Baszler in a special 'MMA rules' contest at SummerSlam on August 5 in Detroit, Michigan.
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‘Rowdy’ is edging closer to another hiatus from professional wrestling but will first compete against her long-time friend whom she met while coaching on The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.
Their storyline started as an on-screen friendship before it changed at Money in the Bank as Baszler shockingly turned against Rousey and cost them their WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
While confirming the first ‘MMA rules’ match in company history, the WWE stopped short of explaining exactly what rules from Rousey’s former profession will be applied.
MMA fights are usually held in a cage. Punching, kicking, and grappling techniques are employed as competitors try to bring an end to the fight by knockout or submission.
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They span three rounds which each last five minutes, but when a title is on the line the fight length is increased to five rounds.
If neither person finds a finish, the result is decided by three cageside judges.
Groin strikes, eye gouging, biting, manipulating fingers, head butts, strikes to the back of the head, and grabbing the fence are just some of the things not permitted in MMA.
Rousey’s latest WWE fight comes amid rumours about a potential UFC return.
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Featherweight contender Chelsea Chandler recently claimed she’d heard Rousey was training for a comeback.
The 36-year-old has stayed quiet on mounting speculation about her UFC return, but it hasn’t stopped MMA fans from getting excited about it.
Rousey is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the sport's 30-year history.
At the peak of her powers, she finished 12 consecutive opponents and won belts in Strikeforce and the UFC.
Ultimately, Rousey came unstuck against Holly Holm before losing to Amanda Nunes and walking away from MMA with a 12-2 record.
Perhaps fighting under ‘MMA rules’ at SummerSlam will get her excited about taking a real fight in the UFC later this year.
