The Olympic judoka will host “Saturday Night Live” in New York on Jan. 23, the NBC network revealed via Twitter on Tuesday. SNL is a long-running sketch comedy and variety show that debuted on NBC on Oct. 11, 1975.
Rousey is just the third combat sports athlete, joining former boxing champions Marvin Hagler and George Forman, to host the show. Other sports stars to host SNL include Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Peyton Manning, LeBron James and Tom Brady.
“Rowdy” has appeared in movies such as “Expendables 3,” “Furious 7,” and “Entourage,” and is set to star in the upcoming “Roadhouse” remake, which is expected to begin filming this year.
Rousey went unbeaten in her first 12 professional MMA appearances before suffering a second-round TKO loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Melbourne this past November. The 28-year-old Californian is likely to receive an immediate title shot when she returns to the Octagon.
Excited to kick off 2016 with Adam Driver, @ChrisStapleton, @RondaRousey and @selenagomez! #SNL pic.twitter.com/J346nqL81z
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) January 5, 2016