Ronda Rousey to host SNL Jan. 23

Ronda Rousey, former Ultimate Fighting Championship women's bantamweight champion, will make her return to the spotlight soon, but it won't be in the octagon just yet.

Rousey will host "Saturday Night Live" on Jan. 23, according to ESPN.

The TV appearance will be her first major appearance since losing the UFC women's bantamweight title to Holly Holm on Nov. 15 in Australia. Rousey made her first public appearance following the devastating loss by attending the Marine Corps Ball in National Harbor, Md., on Dec. 11 — an invitation she had accepted in September when asked via a Facebook post by Marine Jarred Haschert.

Rousey's return to the octagon is not yet known. Although a tentative date has been set for a Rousey-Holm rematch, nothing is official just yet. UFC president Dana White said in early December that it will likely take place July 9 in Las Vegas.

Rousey will join the small list of fighters — boxers Marvin Hagler and George Foreman — to host SNL, but will be the first MMA fighter to host the show, according to mmafighting.com.

Contact Kira Terry at kterry@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kiraterry