Ronda Rousey has stolen the hearts and minds of MMA and UFC fans across the globe, reaching the pinnacle of her sport with a surprising ease and leaving her with seemingly few contemporaries able to last more than a couple of short minutes with her in the octagon. Despite her rapid ascension to the uppermost echelon of the fighting world, Rousey, now 28, indicated recently while appearing on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience that she has no desire to continue battling into her 30s. It's not altogether surprising that Rousey wouldn't want to keep subjecting herself to such a physically taxing sport as she ages - though she's the one usually handing out the punishment during her bouts - but it is surprising to hear her talk about retirement, especially considering she's only a couple of months removed from dispatching her last opponent, Bethe Correia, in a matter of just 34 seconds. Still, while thoughts of retirement may persist somewhere in the back of her mind, Rousey sounds like a woman who believes there is still work to be done - work that may include Cris "Cyborg" Justino.
"It just seems unfinished-my career, there's more left to do-I don't feel like I'm done yet," Rousey told Rogan, via Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie.com. "With the Olympics it just like, you win an Olympic gold medal and you're done. With the UFC, when am I really done? I'm not. It feels unfinished still. (The 'Cyborg' fight) definitely would (help)."
The currently 12-0 Rousey has stated in the past her desire to end her UFC career undefeated. Closing it out sooner rather than later will likely go a long way toward ensuring that happens. Next up on the docket for Rousey is a bout against Holly Holm at UFC 193, but it sure seems like "Cyborg" is the fight she has her eye on. The fight has been talked about ad nauseum, but many an obstacle has prevented it from finally coming to fruition, one of which was "Cyborg's" positive test for steroids. Rousey stated her belief that Justino may still be a steroid user.
"The thing is, someone who uses steroids and those kind of things, they need that to mentally think they have an advantage they didn't earn. It's a crutch for her. She needs to feel like she somehow has an advantage from the outside," said Rousey.
Of course, weight also remains a major issue between the two potential combatants. Rousey believes "Cyborg" would likely struggle to reach 135 and Justino's difficulty making weight is something, per Rousey, that comes as a result of her steroid use. Still, it sounds like "Cyborg" may be the fight that Rousey views as the final test before she can call it a career.
"If she never steps up, I'll know (why)," Rousey said. "I'll probably go a little longer waiting for her, but you know, if she showed up sooner rather than later, I don't know how much longer I would go after that."
