In a new series for the MMASucka channel, we look at alternative outcomes to major happenings within the world of MMA.

In this first piece, we take a look at what could have happened if, at UFC 207, Ronda Rousey defeated Amanda Nunes and reclaimed the UFC bantamweight championship.

MMA’s What If: Ronda Rousey defeated Amanda Nunes

What Really Happened

As we know now, the main event of UFC 207 lasted just 48 seconds as Amanda Nunes dominated Ronda Rousey, ending the American’s MMA career. Rousey consequently joined the WWE, left the WWE and is now expecting her first child.

Nunes on the other hand has continued in MMA and has been absolutely dominant since the bout. She’s gone 7-0, dominating each and every opponent she’s faced. She’s become a two-weight world champion and defended her strap in each weight class.

What Could Have Happened…

Let’s paint the picture. Ronda Rousey, having avoided all media commitments during fight week, in the best shape of her life (this is all true), enters the bout and dominates like she so often did. You can see from the image below that she was in truly phenomenal shape entering the bout, suggesting she was ready for five hard rounds if necessary.

She enters the fight, dodges the strikes of Nunes, gets into the clinch and is able to get the fight grounded. Despite being solid on the ground Nunes can’t hang with Rousey. ‘Rowdy’ is back to her sparkling best, locking in a first-round armbar finish, the 10th of her career.

Fallout from a Rousey Win

There are a number of options that Rousey could take.

Rousey has clearly improved. She gets on the microphone speaking to Joe Rogan after the bout and calls for the Holly Holm rematch. Calls the first fight a fluke, says that she wasn’t focused on MMA (which is arguably true) and demands Dana White to book the rematch. It evolves into what could arguably be one of the biggest fights in UFC history.

The second option is that she hangs up the MMA gloves again. She’s done it all, she’s the biggest name (again) in women’s mixed martial arts and has reclaimed gold, becoming the first woman to lose a title then regain it. She has nothing else to prove, she’s come back from her adversary and gone back to being ‘the baddest woman on the planet’. It leaves the belt vacant for Valentina Shevchenko and either Holm or Miesha Tate to battle for the vacant strap, putting Nunes out in the cold.

The final possibility is that Ronda Rousey faces Shevchenko in her first fight after UFC 207, the same as what Nunes did. It’s a tough fight for Rousey, one where she’d hold a size advantage but would be outmatched on the feet. On the ground, the size may play a factor, however, we know Shevchenko has slick jiu-jitsu, which could be a factor.

If any of these came to fruition, she would likely never have joined the WWE, making waves in that industry. She also would likely not have ventured into the world of acting, giving up her place in 9-1-1.

Keep it locked to MMASucka for plenty more in our new series ‘MMA’s What If’.

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