Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is in active negotiations for a boxing match against Ireland's Katie Taylor, according to a report from BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire.
The bout is being targeted for Las Vegas in summer 2026, matching two of the most accomplished women's combat sports athletes of this century. Taylor, who holds a 25-1 record with six knockouts, is Ireland's two-time undisputed boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist. She has defeated Amanda Serrano three times, most recently in July with a victory that generated six million streams on Netflix.
Rousey, 38, reigned as UFC women's bantamweight champion from 2012 to 2015 before suffering knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She retired from MMA in late 2016 and subsequently performed in WWE before retiring from professional wrestling earlier this year. Recent training videos posted by Rousey have sparked speculation about a potential return to combat sports.
The report indicates Netflix, which broadcast Taylor's recent fights with Serrano, is interested in the potential matchup. The fight is being pursued as its own main event given the success of Taylor-Serrano as a headline attraction.
While Rousey won many of her UFC bouts by submission, she received boxing training from coach Edmond Tarverdyan during her fighting career, with her stand-up game developing in her final UFC appearances.
Taylor, who is being honored this week at the WBC Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, has also claimed majority decision victories over former super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron and Delfine Persoon. When asked about her next opponent, Taylor told BoxingScene, "I'm ready to fight whenever, really, and take on whatever challenge comes next. Any of the big names, any of the big fights – I'm ready to take on them all."