Ronda Rousey: A 'good period of time off' is 'just what I need right now'

One month ago, UFC president Dana White revealed that Ronda Rousey wouldn't be fighting on the historic UFC 200 card in July, contrary to most people's expectations. He also promised that the former women's bantamweight champion will return mentally strong on a later date. Now it looks like this date could be farther away than we may have thought.

The 29-year-old superstar revealed to MMA Junkie that her five-year run as a pro, which includes 13 fights, 12 victories, five Hollywood movies, and countless media obligations, have taken their toll and that she is looking at a longer break right now.

"MMA? Yeah, they've been making me go non-stop," Rousey said (Transcription via MMA Fighting). "I mean, my first year I fought six times. I feel like I've been burning the candle at both ends for a long time. In Judo I took a good period of time off after the Beijing Olympics and I feel like I'm bodily and mentally in a similar space where it's just what I need right now."

After over four years without defeat, Rousey was surprisingly knocked out by Holly Holm in a championship bout at UFC 193 in November, and recently revealed that she even contemplated suicide after the shocking loss. Media and fellow fighters alike are speculating if and when Rousey will return to the Octagon. Right now, it seems is if she has no real urge to come back.

"It's been surprising to me how happy I've been being away from [fighting]," said Rousey. "I'm being purposefully mysterious right now because I think people have taken my availability for granted and I've kind of just wanted to disappear."