Ronda Rousey may soon return to combat sports — not in the Octagon, but in the boxing ring. According to a recent report, she is in active negotiations for a high-profile boxing match against two-time undisputed champion Katie Taylor, with plans discussed for a Las Vegas showdown in 2026. The proposed fight has drawn significant interest from streaming platforms, and it could mark one of the biggest crossover events in women’s combat sports in years.

Rousey — the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion — has been away from professional fighting for nearly a decade. Her last MMA fight occurred in 2016, after which she shifted focus to other ventures. Over the past year she’s quietly begun training again, posting footage of striking work and slowly building speculation that she might return to competition. The potential matchup with Taylor represents not just a comeback, but a reinvention: trading submissions and jiu-jitsu for boxing gloves and striking exchanges.

Katie Taylor, widely regarded as one of the greatest female boxers of her generation, brings a proven record and global recognition. With a single loss on her professional ledger and a series of dominant title defenses, Taylor has remained active and successful — most recently adding another win to her résumé. That consistency makes her the ideal foil for a comeback attempt by Rousey, whose star power and name recognition still carry weight far beyond her fighting résumé.

The negotiation talks reportedly include discussions of a summer 2026 date in Las Vegas, a location that has long been the epicenter for historic fights. The goal is clear: build a spectacle that merges Rousey’s mixed-martial-arts legacy with Taylor’s boxing prestige, drawing mainstream and crossover interest. With Rousey’s past achievements and Taylor’s current dominance, promoters see a formula that could rival many major boxing or MMA events.

For Rousey, the decision to consider a boxing match over an MMA return speaks to a strategic pivot. She knows her time away from major competition, combined with previous knockout losses to top-tier strikers, complicates a safe or credible return to the UFC. Boxing, on the other hand, offers a potentially controlled environment, a fresh challenge, and the possibility of capitalizing on her name — in a different discipline.

That said, the road back will not be easy. Transitioning from MMA to boxing requires significant adjustments. Boxing demands refined footwork, precise timing, and defensive awareness to withstand straight punches, jabs, and long-range striking — skills that differ markedly from the clinch-heavy, grappling-oriented repertoire Rousey once relied on. While her previous striking fundamentals are known, critics question whether a nearly nine-year layoff, combined with her former susceptibility to high-level striking, will leave her vulnerable in a boxing ring.

For Taylor, agreeing to fight Rousey carries risk as well — but also reward. A victory over a legend of MMA would boost her crossover appeal and attract millions of curious fans. The bout promises massive exposure, potentially huge financial returns, and an opportunity to make history by defeating one of combat sports’ most influential figures across disciplines. For a fighter who has built her career in boxing alone, this could add a unique feather to her cap.

Industry insiders note that streaming services — notably one that reportedly has interest — could push the fight into mainstream pop culture, elevating women’s boxing and drawing broader attention than typical title defenses. For the sport, a successful Rousey-Taylor event could open the door for more crossover bouts: MMA vets stepping into boxing, and boxers testing themselves against grapplers — blending fanbases and expanding audiences in previously untapped ways.

Yet, doubts remain. Can Rousey perform at an elite boxing level after years away from competition? Will Taylor agree to face someone coming from a different discipline but whose power and name recognition alone will draw attention? And perhaps most importantly: will the fight deliver real competitive-quality action, or will it be another spectacle-driven mismatch — trading technical integrity for ticket sales?

For now, the negotiations are ongoing. Rousey and Taylor have not publicly confirmed any agreement, but insiders say discussions are serious and progressing. If finalized, 2026 could mark one of the biggest comebacks in combat sports history — a shot at redemption for Rousey and a defining career moment for Taylor. Regardless of outcome, the buzz around this potential showdown shows one thing clearly: when legends from different disciplines step into the ring together, interest skyrockets — and the fight world takes notice.