Ronda Rousey return in New York sounding likely

Ronda Rousey's much anticipated comeback to UFC looks set to take place at UFC 205 in New York.

Rousey has been out of action following her shock defeat to Holly Holm last November and her return to the octagon is likely to be a third fight against current bantamweight champion Miesha Tate.

Tate, who won the title off Holm, is scheduled to meet Amanda Nunes on July 10 and has said after that she has eyes on Rousey.

"I think everything happens for a reason. I told everybody I was going to beat Holly and I did and I was meant to be here," Tate said yesterday at the UFC 200 pre-fight press conference.

"I'm going to beat Amanda on the 9th and I'm going to go on and hopefully we'll see Ronda [Rousey] maybe in Madison Square Garden," Tate continued. "That would be great."

UFC 205 is expected to include a big fightcard as UFC makes it's debut in New York after MMA was legalised in the state earlier this month.

UFC president Dana White confirmed last month that he spoke to Rousey via text message after Tate choked out Holm in the fifth round at UFC 196.

"I think that Ronda now will fight Miesha Tate for the title," White said.

"That's what's going to happen. That's what I said before this fight even happened. Whoever wins tonight will fight Ronda for the title.

"I texted Ronda - Ronda wasn't watching the fight. I text Ronda and she said 'what happened?' I said 'Miesha just choked her unconscious' and she said 'looks like I've got to get back to work.'

"She's scheduled to not come back until October or November but it doesn't mean I can't ask."

Rousey was scheduled to film a pair of movies back-to-back that would have kept her busy into the US summer, but there's still no word on when either one will actually go into production.

As of now, neither "Road House" or "Mile 22" have actually scheduled dates to begin principle photography, which means there is a chance Rousey could return sooner than the fall when she was originally expected to come back.

Rousey has a long history with Tate after handing her two losses - one in Strikeforce and one in the UFC - and they have engaged in one of the most bitter rivalries in the history of the sport.

Now that Tate is holding the UFC title, their roles are reversed and if Rousey wants to reclaim the gold she's going to have to go through her to get it back.

- with news.com.au