After about two months of hiding, Ronda Rousey is willing to face the public once more following her heartbreaking and unexpected loss of the UFC Bantamweight women's title to Holly Holm.
She will make her first TV appearance on Jan. 23 by hosting "Saturday Night Live," according to Bleacherreport. Ronda confirmed it through an Instagram post.
However, the sports website notes that the former champ's constant TV appearances is possibly the reason behind her loss as she had lesser time to practice for the fight.
Bleachereport MMA columnist Steven Rondina sees in Ronda's "SNL" appearance as a white flag to her career. Although the former champ did not state that she is retiring and moving into a TV hosting career, Rondina thinks Ronda continues "walking the same path that saw her get viciously knocked out."
He adds that beside the hectic schedule caused by the TV appearances, there were also issues prior to the Nov. 14 fight involving Ronda's coach, mother, former manager and boyfriend that "visibly wore her down by the time she reached fight week."
However, Jonathan Snowden, another MMA columnist, disagrees with Rondina. He says that hosting "SNL" is not a sign that the ex-champ is not serious about fighting again. Snowden points out that some of the greatest athletes, citing Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan and Chris Evert, had hosted also the same variety show. He adds, "To be plucked from the realm of sports and inserted into the world of mainstream entertainment this way is a distinct honor."
A third MMA columnist, Mike Chiappetta, points out that a one-week gig is not as intrusive in Ronda's career as her other Hollywood projects. Ronda, he says, embraced the reality of fame, along with the opportunities and risks that comes with it.
Forbes joins Snowden in thinking that host "SNL" is a brilliant move for Ronda who will have Selena Gomez as her musical guest for that episode.