UFC 207 recap: Nunes stops Rousey in 48 seconds, plus all other fights on card

Let’s just say things aren’t going well for Ronda Rousey and her inner circle. Rousey’s boyfriend, Travis Browne, must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up outside T-Mobile Arena.

Security are apparently taking their job very seriously and are not letting him back in the building to be with Rousey.

LAS VEGAS – Ronda Rousey returned to the octagon Friday for the first time since her beatdown loss 13 months earlier, and she was victimized again by a head-rattling flurry of fists that finished her in even quicker form.

Forty-eight seconds into the first round, following a four-punch combination that capped a continued assault of blows landed by UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, Rousey was counted out by technical knockout by referee Herb Dean.

“This moment is my moment,” Brazil’s Nunes (14-4) said in the octagon afterward. “Right now, I’m the champion.

“I know [fans] love Ronda Rousey, but I was really ready for this fight. I knew this was going to happen. I’m the best on the planet.”

Comedian Hannibal Buress is a New England Patriots win away from cashing an almost $20,000 bet after Amanda Nunes’ victory over Ronda Rousey.

Buress has hit five of the six bets on the parlay and will probably be the biggest Patriots fan in the house on Sunday.

Amanda Nunes puts Ronda Rousey on the defensive during their bantamweight title bout on Friday night at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest superstars in MMA history and turned into a crossover celebrity over the past few years. She made her reputation with dominant performances inside the cage, finishing opponent after opponent in extremely short order. Then Holly Holm came along. Last November, Holm shattered Rousey’s aura of invincibility, her title run and her undefeated record. Rousey entered into seclusion and has largely avoided the public and the media since. Now she returns to recapture her title with questions abound about her mental state following the shocking upset loss. Nunes is a powerful striker and high quality jiu jitsu artist who tends to do better earlier in fights than later. She won the title with a dominant stoppage of Miesha Tate at UFC 200. This is far and away the biggest fight of her career and it’s hard to imagine there will ever be another contender.

Round 1. Nunes throws some big punches early and connects well to the jaw of Rousey. She hurt Rousey with punches and has her in big trouble by the cage. Nunes is pummeling Rousey and Herb Dean has to step in. That was a one sided destruction.

Winner: Amanda Nunes, TKO, round 1.

The time of the stoppage came at 48 seconds. Most of that time involved Rousey getting punched in the face. Rousey leaves the Octagon after the defeat without saying anything. This has been such a strange and interesting path for Rousey. She rose to prominence in dominant fashion but clearly struggled greatly with her first MMA defeat just like she did when she lost in the Olympics. There are so many different angles as to why this fight went the way it did but regardless of whether it was about the style matchup, preparation, psychology or something else it was emphatic, violent and short. It seems unlikely Rousey will fight again given the options she has but it will take time to sort out the story of Ronda Rousey in general. Her fall as an athlete, just like her rise, was spectacular.

With an uncertain future for Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor saying he’s going to take a break, the UFC is in need of a new face to market to their fans and to continue to convert the mainstream sports audience.

They may have found it in Cody Garbrandt, who beat Dominick Cruz to win the bantamweight title in an epic match that left the former champion bloodied for a major cut over the right eye.

Garbrandt won a unanimous decision in five grueling, exhilirating rounds that left the fans in T-Mobile Arena wanting more.

Garbrandt’s style, charisma and, yes, good looks, seem to make him a natural to be the next star of the UFC.

Dominick Cruz is a unique figure in MMA. The UFC bantamweight champion sports a 22-1 record with no unavenged losses but perhaps even more impressive is that he was able to work his way back to the title after major injuries derailed his career for the better part of four and a half years. His fighting style isn’t something anyone was really doing before he came along and now has its imitators. He’s also one of the best trash talkers in the game and has made many an opponent look silly with his words. Cody Garbrandt is more of a power striker with a 10-0 record and 9 knockouts. He trains out of the Alpha Male camp that has a longstanding rivalry with Cruz.

Round 1. Garbrandt lands the first punch early but Cruz answers back soon thereafter. Garbrandt connects with a two punch combination as Cruz moves in. Garbrandt lands a looping right hand. Garbrandt is taunting Cruz. Garbrandt is landing a number of punches and seems quite confident. Cruz is moving more but not landing a ton. Garbrandt moves in looking to land something big but ends up just swinging at air. Cruz lands a nice low kick. Cruz goes for a takedown but Garbrandt rolls through and ends up back on his feet. Garbrandt gets a takedown late but Cruz returns to his feet. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Round 2. Garbrandt nails Cruz with a big hook. Cruz responds by attacking back which often can be a mistake but Cruz catches Garbrandt with a hard hook of his own that appears to stun the challenger. Garbrandt continues to land solid punches as Cruz moves in. Garbrandt has Cruz timed better than many opponents and his hook in particular is his best blow. They’re landing about the same amount but Garbrandt is connecting harder. Cruz goes for a takedown late. It’s blocked but then they open up with wild punches. Garbrandt lands the best punch of the exchange. Close round. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Round 3. Garbrandt lands a pair of big punches early and Cruz is cut open badly from an accidental headbutt. Cruz’s vision in the left eye has to be badly impaired. Garbrandt is taunting Cruz. Cruz lands a nice combination but eats a heavy answer from Garbrandt moments later. Garbrandt drops Cruz with a hook and then lands a big knee as Cruz gets up and goes back to work. Cruz shoots for a takedown but can’t get it. Garbrandt tries to land a big power shot as Cruz breaks but he cannot land that. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Round 4. Cruz lands a pair of nice kicks early. Garbrandt drops Cruz with a massive left hook. Cruz gets up and goes right back to work and actually lands a nice counter on Garbrandt. However, make no mistake, Cruz was in big trouble there and has taken serious punishment throughout this fight. Cruz moves in looking to land and Garbrandt avoids it all. Garbrandt is clowning Cruz at every chance he can, mugging and taunting after all the things Cruz said before the fight. Garbrandt drops Cruz with a left hook again and dances. 10-8 Garbrandt.

Round 5. Cruz is moving in aggressively, likely knowing he needs something big in this final round. Cruz lands a nice three punch combination. Cruz goes for a flying knee but it is caught. Cruz is having his best round by far, pressing forward, throwing more and landing more. Garbrandt goes for a takedown late and seems content to just press Cruz against the cage. Cruz knocks Garbrandt down with a low kick late. 10-9 Cruz, 49-45 Garbrandt.

Winner: Cody Garbrandt, unanimous decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-46).

After the fight, Garbrandt presents the championship to Maddux Maple, a young friend who has battled leukemia. Garbrandt turned in a very impressive performance in a significant upset. This result doesn’t necessarily mean Dominick Cruz is no longer the fighter he once was but clearly Garbrandt is a force at bantamweight and will be one of the toughest in the division for years to come. Garbrandt vs. T.J. Dillashaw is an extremely interesting matchup on a number of levels.

TJ Dillashaw hits John Lineker with an overhand right during their bantamweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

The next fight on the card will determine the UFC bantamweight champion and this fight is likely to decide his next challenger. T.J. Dillashaw is a former champion himself and lost the title to Dominick Cruz in a hotly debated decision. Dillashaw comes from a wrestling background but has adapted well to the striking game with great speed and footwork. John Lineker is more of a straightforward power puncher and has won six straight fights.

Round 1. Dillashaw starts with a big head kick that flies over the head of Lineker. Dillashaw gets a takedown and looks to pass guard quickly. Dillashaw can’t accomplish that goal so he lands punches from in guard. Lineker returns to his feet. Dillashaw continues to throw lots of kicks while Lineker looks to set up a power shot. Lineker lands his best blow of the fight, a hook, as he moves in on Dillashaw. 10-9 Dillashaw.

Round 2. Dillashaw gets a takedown 15 seconds in. He tries to take Lineker’s back as Lineker stands up but cannot get it. Dillashaw connects with a hard kick to the body and gets another takedown. Dillashaw drops a series of elbows from top position. Lineker is swinging back defiantly from the bottom. Dillashaw is using some hard elbows late in the round and is really opening up on his opponent. 10-8 Dillashaw.

Round 3. Dillashaw is toying around with different stances on the feet, keeping Lineker guessing. Dillashaw gets the takedown a minute in but Lineker gets back up. Lineker throughout the fight has slowly moved forward waiting for his opportunity to land a big blow but his opportunities to do so are few and far between. Dillashaw gets a takedown around the midpoint of the round and lands a series of punches before Lineker tries to work his way back to his feet. Dillashaw prevents that and applies the calf slicer. Lineker gets out and returns to his feet with less than a minute left. Lineker hammers Dillashaw with some vicious punches to the body late but it’s too late. 10-9 Dillashaw, 30-26 Dillashaw.

Winner: T.J. Dillashaw, unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26).

That was a one-sided win for Dillashaw, who utilized great movement while taking advantage of his wrestling background as well. He’ll be a tough opponent for anyone at 135 pounds and could very well recapture the bantamweight title in his next fight.

Current status for those fans that are waiting for the Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes fight to begin. There are two fights left: John Lineker vs. TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt vs. Dominick Cruz before the main event.

Given current timing, the estimate would be a start past 9:30 p.m. and closer to 10 p.m. depending on the length of the two other fights.

Dong Hyun Kim and Tarec Saffiedine trade punches during their welterweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

The welterweight division has silently built up a deep mix of championship contenders, leaving high level fighters like Kim and Saffiedine on the outside looking in. Kim sports a 21-3-1 (1 NC) record and has fought in the UFC since 2008. He is good at controlling the nature of a fight and has finishes in his last four wins. Saffiedine is the former Strikeforce welterweight champion and is a striking specialist.

Round 1. Kim moves into close range early. The fighters trade punches from inside and clinch by the cage. Saffiedine gets a takedown but Kim stands up. Kim uses a nice judo throw to take Saffiedine down but Saffiedine gets right back up and retains body control. The fighters work for position up against the cage. Kim lands a nice series of punches but Saffiedine answers with an overhand right. The one advantage Kim has in the first is that he’s letting his hands go a lot more, which has to help him with the judges even if neither man is in firm control of the action. Saffiedine lands a knee and trip takedown late but Kim gets right back up. Tough round to score. 10-9 Saffiedine.

Round 2. Saffiedine lands a solid counter hook as Kim is moving in. Saffiedine goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Kim keeps moving forward on Saffiedine. Kim lands a hard body kick and follows with some quality punches. Kim nearly gets a late takedown but Saffiedine is narrowly able to stay on his feet. 10-9 Kim.

Round 3. The fighters come out swinging wildly in the third. Each man is able to connect solidly in the exchange given what a low premium was being placed on defense. Saffiedine lands some nice short elbows. Kim looks for a takedown but Saffiedine defends well. Saffiedine lands two kicks to the body in succession. Saffiedine goes for a takedown late but Kim prevents it. 10-9 Saffiedine, 29-28 Saffiedine.

Winner: Dong Hyun Kim, split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28).

That decision was a mild surprise but Kim was consistently moving forward and that’s often rewarded by the judges. Kim definitely didn’t turn heads with his performance but it’s always better to pick up the win than the loss.

Ray Borg punches Louis Smolka during their flyweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Louis Smolka was generating a good deal of hype as a flyweight prospect with his exciting style, but then he lost quickly in his last fight to unheralded Brandon Moreno. Now he will seek to rebound and reclaim some of that positive attention. Ray Borg is 3-2 in the UFC and has won mostly with submissions.

Round 1. After a feeling out process, they clinch and exchange knees to the body. Borg slips on a head kick but recovers and gets the takedown. Borg gets side control. He then looks to take Smolka’s back. Smolka gets back up but then is slammed back down. Borg grabs an omoplata briefly but Smolka gets out. Borg ends up back in top position as the round concludes. 10-9 Borg.

Round 2. Borg confidently moves in with punches after a successful first round. Smolka appears hesitant to let the strikes go with the threat of the takedown and Borg gets a takedown shortly thereafter anyway. Borg. Smolka attacks the leg from bottom but Borg gets out of trouble, drops a big punch down and moves into side control. Borg retains control on the ground, landing punches and keeping Smolka from doing anything from the bottom. 10-9 Borg.

Round 3. Borg gets another takedown. Borg looks for an arm triangle choke and appeared to be close to finishing but he gave up the attempt. Smolka gets back up with less than two minutes left in the fight. Borg lands a solid hook in an exchange and a spinning elbow late. 10-9 Borg, 30-27 Borg.

Winner: Ray Borg, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26).

Borg picked up a one sided victory but it wasn’t the sort of exciting fight that will win over fans for Borg or the embattled flyweight division.

Johny Hendricks (top) punches Neil Magny during their welterweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Johny Hendricks is the former UFC welterweight champion and is one of the most well known fighters in the division. Hendricks has lost three of his last four fights and has not looked impressive recently, meaning this is a crucial fight for him if he hopes to work his way back into title contention. Hendricks missed weight for the second straight time, not an encouraging sign. Neil Magny has been moving in the other direction, winning 10 of his last 12 in the UFC including wins over Hector Lombard and Kelvin Gastelum. However, he is coming off a decisive loss to Lorenz Larkin. This will be an opportunity for Magny to establish definitively that he belongs in the top mix at 170 pounds.

Round 1. Hendricks is aggressive in the early going, winging some looping power punches. Magny, by contrast, relies principally on leg kicks. Hendricks gets a takedown halfway through the round. Magny throws a lot of little shots from the bottom while Hendricks mainly just holds Magny down. Magny attempts to set up a triangle choke but can’t get very far. Magny finally grabs a triangle choke and then looks for an arm bar at the same time. Magny throws some elbows while Hendricks tries to pop his head out of danger. 10-9 Magny.

Round 2. Hendricks gets a takedown early and controls Magny’s back. He then takes side control. Magny tries to stand up but Hendricks maintains control and keeps grinding on Magny and retaining his grip. Hendricks slams Magny back down with less than two minutes remaining in the round. Magny again works his way back to his feet but Hendricks just keeps applying the pressure and won’t let Magny separate. 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 3. Magny lands a couple of kicks and a knee. Magny then lands some jabs from distance. Hendricks clinches again and works for another takedown. Magny blocks it and goes back to work with his punches. Magny is moving briskly while Hendricks looks tired and is moving slowly. Hendricks uses a high kick that’s partially blocked. Hendricks lands a power left hand and then grabs a double leg by the cage. Magny lands some hard elbows to the body and prevents Hendricks from getting him down. Hendricks finally slams Magny down with a little over a minute left in the fight. Magny looks for the triangle choke late in the round and lands a series of elbows as well at the close. 10-9 Magny, 29-28 Magny.

Winner: Neil Magny, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

It was a little surprising that Magny got all three scorecards given Hendricks was on top for much of the fight but Magny was landing more and threatening with submissions in the first and third. The crowd booed the decision but Hendricks is the more famous fighter and that likely played a role in the crowd reaction.

Antonio Carlos Junior kicks Marvin Vettori during their middleweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Antonio Carlos Junior is a former jiu jitsu world champion and Ultimate Fighter winner but he has struggled to make his mark in the UFC. Marvin Vettori is a young Italian fighter who has primarily relied on submissions and won his UFC debut in August.

Round 1. The fight starts with both men seeming content to stand. Vettori takes a poke to the eye twice in the early going. Carlos Junior then takes an eye poke himself. Carlos Junior lands a nice straight right hand. Carlos Junior shoots in for a takedown halfway through the round. He doesn’t get it and the fighters grapple for position up against the cage. Carlos Junior finally gets a takedown with less than a minute left in the round. Vettori stands up but Carlos Junior grabs his neck in the process. 10-9 Carlos Junior.

Round 2. Vettori lands a couple of kicks low to start the round. Carlos Junior scores a takedown but Vettori immediately works back to his feet. Vettori gets a takedown with two minutes left in the round and immediately goes to work with rapid elbows. He then looks for a guillotine choke from the top. Carlos Junior indicates he is fine and Vettori gives it up. Vettori responds with a series of punches on the ground. He postures up for leverage, allowing Carlos Junior to land a hard up kick. 10-9 Vettori.

Round 3. Carlos Junior looks for a takedown and he gets it a minute and a half into the round. Vettori stands back up and Carlos Junior lands a series of knees to the legs by the cage. They separate and return to boxing in the center of the Octagon. Carlos Junior shoots in for the takedown again as taking top position has been the only real differentiating factor in the contest. Carlos Junior gets Vettori down to a knee and he controls Vettori by the cage while landing knees. Carlos Junior looks for a late guillotine choke. 10-9 Carlos Junior, 29-28 Carlos Junior.

Winner: Antonio Carlos Junior, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

That wasn’t a scintillating performance but Carlos Junior picked up the deserved decision victory, his second straight.

As Ronda Rousey makes her first steps back into a UFC octagon Friday night for the first time in 13 months since she left an Australian cage dazed, beaten and broken, there should be telling indicators to inspect as the fight begins.

Here are the top three:

One: Is Rousey looking to strike first, as she did to her detriment in November 2015 against former pro boxing champion Holly Holm?

If she is, she risks a fistfight with heavy-handed women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, which seems to be a chance not worth taking.

Rousey didn’t respond well to hard facial shots by Holm in the first round of a loss that came one round later. And Nunes’ ability to penetrate Miesha Tate’s defense in July led to 40 strikes that badly bloodied Tate’s face and set up a first-round rear naked chokehold submission.

Two: Can Rousey take down Nunes?

This is the challenger’s apparent best route to victory given her schooling in judo, which includes a 2008 Olympic bronze medal.

Venice’s Rousey (12-1) rose to prominence by finding a way to get her opponents to the canvas so she could apply her pain-inflicting armbar.

This routine made her success so expected that her fights inspired the question if any women in the UFC could solve her. Now that someone has, Rousey should revert to what made her the UFC’s top draw in the first place.

Three: Are there signs of rage, impatience, uncertainty?

Rousey’s apparent anger at feeling criticized and rejected has obviously shaken her. She said on the “Ellen” show that she considered suicide after the Holm loss.

If the outcome of a fight holds such high stakes to her vision of her own identity, then how will she start this fight? How will she respond to any adversity? Can she effectively employ a Plan B to her fight plan.

Her trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan, has performed quite unsteadily in the corner over the past year, so it’s on Rousey to solve the Nunes riddle and establish a path to victory and achieve a reemergence she has fiercely pursued.

Mike Pyle tries to evade a punch by Alex Garcia during their welterweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Mike Pyle is a fighter’s fighter. Now 41, he has been fighting since 1999 when he fought Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in his MMA debut. Though he never became a star, he has fought many of the best including Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, Jake Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald and Matt Brown. His ground game is his calling card. Unfortunately for Pyle, he has not looked good in recent fights and appears towards the end of his career. Garcia sports a 13-3 MMA record but has lost 2 of his last 3. The biggest win of his career was over Ultimate Fighter veteran Mike Swick.

Round 1. Garcia lands a body kick and gets a takedown. Garcia gets into side control and lands some elbows. Pyle gets back up to his feet. Garcia knocks Pyle out with a right hand.

Winner: Alex Garcia, KO, round 1.

That was a brutal finish as Pyle was knocked completely out before hitting the ground and his head bounced off the canvas. Pyle has had a very respectable career but it is likely time to call it a day. It’s a good name opponent for Garcia to put on his resume.

Niko Price (top) attempts to submit Brandon Thatch during their welterweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Brandon Thatch at one point was considered a potential future championship level fighter. He has great length, striking and finishing skills. However, his momentum was stalled by three straight submission losses to Benson Henderson, Gunnar Nelson and Siyar Bahadurzada. Those are all high level opponents and tonight Thatch gets a much softer touch in Niko Price. Price is a UFC newcomer who is 8-0 with 6 knockouts on smaller shows.

Round 1. Thatch throws a few leg kicks early. Price looks for a takedown but doesn’t come close. Price lands a nice straight punch but Thatch goes behind and looks to take his back. Thatch is unsuccessful on that and Price gets a takedown up against the cage. Price throws some punches from the top while Thatch looks to set up a kimura. He cranks the kimura but cannot get it and Price gets advantageous side control in the process. Price then looks to set up an arm triangle choke. He doesn’t get that but transitions into a rear naked choke attempt. He doesn’t get that but transitions back into the arm triangle choke and gets the submission.

Winner: Niko Price, submission, round 1.

That’s a solid victory for Price to start his UFC career against a relatively well known opponent. It’s even more of a setback for Thatch. With four straight losses, he could be cut from the UFC and his once promising career is on the verge of flaming out. He just hasn’t done a good enough job shoring up his vulnerabilities on the ground.

Leave it to Joe Rogan to speak the truth. Apparently, the referee in the Tim Means vs. Alex Oliviera called an unintentional knee and declared a no contest.

Rogan clearly didn’t skirt the controversial ending and said he didn’t see what the ref saw. But apparently others didn’t see it that way.

If you’ve been able to be one of the lucky ones to be able to score a ticket to UFC 207 in Las Vegas, the steep prices don’t end when walk through T-Mobile Arena.

The concessions are as pricey as some of the most expensive bars and lounges on the Strip. Expect to pay between $15-18 for a mixed drink and about $12 for a beer.

Tim Means (blue trunks) grapples with Alex Oliveira after taking him down during their welterweight bout at UFC 207.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

UFC 207 kicks off with one of the stronger openers the company has put on in recent memory. Alex Oliveira and Tim Means are surging action welterweights, with Oliveira having won 5 of his last 6 in the UFC and Means 6 of his last 7. Both are principally strikers and have high knockout rates. Oliveira is coming off the biggest win of his career, a knockout of former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks.

Round 1. Means opens with a couple of kicks. He continues to attack with kicks until Oliveira attempts to reverse a kick into a takedown. Means defends nicely and takes top position. Oliveira stands up but eats a knee in the process. Oliveira responds with a hard 2 punch combination and then knocks Means down with a spinning back kick to the body. Oliveira clinches and looks for a takedown. Means looks for a kimura in the process. Oliveira is bleeding from the nose. Means loses the kimura and Oliveira gets the takedown. Means stands up and Oliveira works to get him back down. Means prevents that and gets a takedown of his own. Means lands some big punches as Oliveira starts to get up but Means follows with knees to the head and those are illegal. Oliveira is unable to continue and the fight is ruled a no contest.

Official result: no contest.

That was a bizarre finishing sequence. The announcers and UFC official Marc Ratner spoke as if Means’ knees weren’t illegal and Means also complained about the no contest. However, a fighter with one knee down has always been a grounded opponent. There are rule changes in regards to a grounded opponent in 2017 but those shouldn’t affect this particular pattern. Thus, this should have been ruled a disqualification win for Oliveira rather than a no contest.

(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

There’s a saying around combat sports that every fighter has a screw loose.

So the intrigue of Friday’s UFC 207 main event at T-Mobile Arena is what’s bouncing around the mortal mind of the once invincible Ronda Rousey, and how the results inside the octagon will determine the future of one of the most prominent figures in the sport.

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In the moments before the weigh-in for UFC 207 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the screens flashed a video of Ronda Rousey making her way into the venue.

Let’s just say she didn’t look all that pleased.

Ronda Rousey, shown here last year, faces Amanda Nunes on Friday.

(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)

Ronda Rousey met the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds Thursday for her UFC 207 main event Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The former UFC champion, dressed in a two-piece sports apparel outfit, stepped on a scale at MGM Grand, where her weight was announced by a Nevada State Athletic Commission member as “135 on the money.”

Rousey maintained a determined facial expression and didn’t say anything other than a few whispered words with her Glendale-based trainer Edmond Tarverdyan.

Rousey (12-1) will meet new champion Amanda Nunes (13-4) of Brazil in Rousey’s first bout since her November 2015 knockout loss to Holly Holm in Australia.

After weighing in, sounds of hugs and rejoicing flowed from behind a black curtain behind the scale.

Rousey has declined to provide interviews this week.

Nunes weighed in at 135 and Dominick Cruz and Cody Garbrandt both weighed in at 135 pounds, too.

There was a minor backstage scuffle between Cruz and Garbrandt after Garbrandt’s weigh-in as Cruz prepared to step on the scale. The situation was quickly defused.

Ronda Rousey

(Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

UFC President Dana White, excusing Ronda Rousey for being “psychotically competitive,” filled in for the former women’s bantamweight champion at a Wednesday news conference and said he expects “the old Ronda” in the octagon Friday night.

“If you look at the amount of press that’s been done by any fighter in UFC history, Ronda smokes everybody by a longshot,” White said. “This [pre-fight silence] is the way she wanted it. The only thing she cares about right now is focusing on winning.”

Rousey, 29, has not fought since her November 2015 second-round knockout loss by head kick to Holly Holm in Australia. Rousey (12-1) finally returns to the octagon in the UFC 207 main event at T-Mobile Arena against new champion Amanda Nunes (13-4) of Brazil.

Because Rousey begged off typical press commitments, the UFC allowed Nunes to skip Wednesday’s session too.

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(Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

The UFC continues to plan for an extended absence for lightweight champion Conor McGregor, UFC President Dana White said Wednesday at a news conference.

“The last conversation I had with Conor, he was taking 10 months off. Everyone keeps asking me about Conor. Conor is not in my plans for the next 10 months,” White said.

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No. 1-ranked Amanda Nunes.

(Rey Del Rio / Getty Images)

The L.A. Times’ MMA rankings for December, as compiled by Todd Martin.

Women’s bantamweight

1. Amanda Nunes

2. Ronda Rousey

3. Valentina Shevchenko

4. Holly Holm

5. Julianna Pena

6. Cat Zingano

7. Sara McMann

8. Raquel Pennington

9. Alexis Davis

10. Sarah Kaufman

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Main Card (Starts at 7 p.m. PT on PPV)

Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey

Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt

T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Lineker

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Tarec Saffiedine

Ray Borg vs. Louis Smolka

Preliminary Card (5 p.m. ET on FS1)

Johny Hendricks vs. Neil Magny

Alex Garcia vs. Mike Pyle

Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Marvin Vettori

Niko Price vs. Brandon Thatch

Ronda Rousey fights for the first time in over a year on Friday.

(Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

Ronda Rousey has been swarmed by an avalanche of criticism following her mystique-shattering knockout loss to Holly Holm last year.

The piling on has intensified due to her reclusive behavior, including comments restricted to chummy, high-profile chats on network television.

But another UFC champion says Rousey’s behavior makes perfect sense.

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Amanda Nunes was informed by the UFC that since Ronda Rousey was not participating in Wednesday’s news conference and public workout, Nunes didn’t have to, either.

“I don’t know what is wrong with this girl, I’m going to be honest with you,” Nunes told a small group of reporters Tuesday. “If she wants to play these games, she’s playing with the wrong person. I’m very focused and I know how I’m going to stop her. I can’t wait.”

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