Ronda Rousey gearing up for her return at UFC 207

Ronda Rousey has been upping her preperations for her return to the octagon at UFC 207 at the end of December.

The former women's bantamweight champion hasn't fought since being dethroned by Holly Holm in November 2015.

Rousey went into the fight as a huge favourite and was undefeated, riding a 12-fight win streak.

However, she was comprehensively beaten and knocked out by Holm as the former boxing world champion kept Rousey at distance, picking her off at will before landing a brutal head-kick to finish the bout.

Rousey took the loss very badly and avoided publicity whenever and wherever she could.

In her absence, the title passed hands from Holm to her nemises Miesha Tate and then to Amanda Nunes - who she faces at UFC 207.

Rousey is an outstanding Judoka and claimed a bronze medal for the US at the 2008 Olympics. Nine of her 12 wins have been by submission but her stand-up game was badly exposed at UFC 193. 

 

This is for all of you who have been by my side. I know who you are. See you December 30th. #FearTheReturn #ufc207 #rouseyvsnunes Click the link in my bio to purchase the shirt or go to Represent.com/Rousey. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Noah's Animal House and The Shade Tree. @noahanimalhouse provides safety, shelter & support for the pets of the women and children of The Shade Tree, @shadetreevegas, a shelter that offers refuge to victims of domestic abuse. Thanks to Noah's, no woman has to choose between a safe space and leaving her pet behind.

A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Dec 9, 2016 at 10:04am PST

Given the lop-sided defeat handed to her by Holm, Rousey has focused on her boxing skills and has been sparring with Mikaela Mayer - a former three-time USA national boxing champion.

Speaking to the RingTV.com, Mayer said: "I have fights coming up, so training with Ronda came at a very good time. She actually made me work and use all my tools. I had to throw my combinations. I had to stay at angles. I had to box and move and fight on the inside and use all my skills.

"[She]'s a fighter, when she gets in there. She’s coming for you and she is not going to let you breathe. That will serve her very well in her title fight at the end of the month. Ronda’s a very smart fighter and a true champion who will show the world she’s learned a lot since her loss to Holly," she added.

#UFC207 promo just released#FearTheReturn https://t.co/7S6eFbLVZn

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 9, 2016

Nunes is riding a four-fight win-streak which includes victories over Miesha Tate and Sara McMann. The pair will headline the end of year event in Las Vegas on December 30th. 

The co-main event sees bantamweight king Dominick Cruz take on rival Cody Garbrandt. 

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