Don't call it a comeback: Stern-looking Ronda Rousey is 'in the best shape of her life' as she returns to UFC despite experts insisting she's destined to lose title fight

  • MMA fighter Ronda Rousey goes up against UFC bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes on Friday in Las Vegas
  • She has been out of the limelight for 13 months yet is in the 'best shape' of her life
  • Experts don't give her much hope to win but plenty of fans believe in her  

By Associated Press and Kiri Blakeley For Dailymail.com

Published: 20:06 EST, 29 December 2016 | Updated: 08:50 EST, 30 December 2016

Ronda Rousey had her weigh-in on the eve of what she hopes is her comeback fight and while experts may not believe she can take the title, she still had her trademark withering gaze that she directed at UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes Thursday night in Las Vegas.

After climbing on the scale and glaring into the distance while the crowd roared, Rousey left the stage at T-Mobile Arena after weighing in at 135 pounds exactly without a word to her opponent or the thousands of fans gathered largely to support her on the eve of UFC 207.

Rousey, 29, can't be blamed for being all business. She was arguably the most dominant mixed martial arts fighter in the young sport's history (12-1) until she lost her belt 13 months ago in a stunning knockout. 

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Ronda Rousey, right, and Amanda Nunes face off for photographers during the weigh-in for UFC 207, which Rousey and her many fans hope will be her comeback fight 

Ronda Rousey, right, and Amanda Nunes face off for photographers during an event for UFC 207, Thursday

After devoting a year to getting back on top, Rousey is determined to earn her redemption Friday night with her skills, not her words.

'Ronda's in the best shape of her life right now,' a source told E! News. 'She's ready to go. She's so focused and determined. Winning this means everything to her.'

Ronda posted a photo of herself on Instagram Wednesday, alongside her more fleshy incarnation from February 2015, obviously pleased with her slimmed down, more muscular form. She has reportedly lost about 15 pounds.

Ronda Rousey poses for photographers during an event for UFC 207, Thursday

Ronda Rousey is all business and demanded a media blackout for the bantamweight event

Rousey left right after the weigh-in without a word to the thousands of fans who gathered

Ronda Rousey poses on the scale during the UFC 207 weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on December 29, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Her comeback fight against Nunes (13-4) is the main event in the UFC's traditional end-of-the-year show in its hometown, and few events in the promotion's blockbuster 2016 have been more anticipated.

Rousey stunned the sports world by her loss to Holly Holm, and anticipation is high for her return - though experts seemed guarded about her chances of overtaking strong striker Nunes. 

Rousey watches her weigh-in, she is 'in the best shape of her life' a source told E! News

Rousey and Nunes practice glaring at each at the weigh-in on the eve of the main event 

'All signs point to her not being in a good place - the massive time off, the walk away from the stare down, the refusal to do media ... it’s all bad signs,' MMA writer Fraser Coffeen told mixed martial arts magazine Bloody Elbow.

Even those still on her side seemed almost apologetic about it. 'Ohhhhh I don’t know what to do. Alright, I’ll go with what I dreamed on Tuesday night, Ronda Rousey by armbar, round 2.  No, I don’t feel very good about it,' said Bloody Elbow editor Mookie Alexander.

A few, however, are still hopeful that the old Rousey will show up. 

'Never judge a fighter off of one fight. Y’all musta forgot about Ronda. She’s gonna trounce Nunes here,' predicted MMA writer Tim Burke.

Amanda Nunes poses for photographers during an event for UFC 207, Thursday

Rousey proudly displayed her new form on Instagram - with a much more defined six-pack

Which Rousey will show up Friday? Will it be the confident judo genius who thrashed a series of overmatched opponents while blazing a trail into the mainstream for women's MMA and the UFC in general?

Or will it be the shaky, distracted veteran who stumbled, flailed and eventually got stopped by Holly Holm's head kick in Australia last year?

'I'm not sure how it's going to be, but she could do a lot of things,' Nunes said. 'Nobody knows, but I know I'm going to be ready. We will see about her.'

Just don't ask Rousey what she thinks. She has largely refused to promote her fight, even declining to speak to the UFC's broadcast team after stepping on the scale.

The UFC reluctantly agreed to Rousey's media blackout, realizing it could cost the promotion untold numbers of pay-per-view buys.

'It's definitely not ideal,' UFC President Dana White said of Rousey's decision. 'It's what she asked for.'

Instead, Rousey expressed her thanks in an Instagram post moments after the weigh-in.

'Looking forward to proving you all right tomorrow,' Rousey said. 'It's going to be the happiest New Year ever.'

Ronda Rousey walks on stage in her black leather jacket during an event for UFC 207, Thursday

Rousey has a nascent acting career and innumerable endorsements, but her celebrity still hasn't outstripped her athletic accomplishments, as it did for fellow women's MMA trailblazer Gina Carano. 

Rousey could have walked away from the sport already, but the Olympic medalist's willingness to return underlines her determination to get back on top.

The women's bantamweight belt has changed hands three times in the last 13 months, and nobody has successfully defended it. Holm lost the belt when Miesha Tate choked her unconscious in March, and Tate lost the title when Nunes brutalized her at UFC 200 in July.

Holm is now a featherweight, and Tate has retired. Nunes is getting her career-defining shot at Rousey, whose status as one of the world's most famous female athletes has scarcely waned despite her decision to take a year off from competition.

Rousey clearly doesn't scare Nunes, even though the champ has three career losses to fighters who were beaten easily by Rousey.

'This is what I've been waiting for,' said Nunes, who has won four straight fights. 'Everything I work for comes down to this. I don't know what's going on with Ronda, but I know I'm ready.' 

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