Feb 18, 2015; Glendale, CA, USA; Ronda Rousey talks about her upcoming championship fight during media day for UFC 184 at Glendale Fighting Club. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Why does Clemson always rush the field? by John Buhler

Conor McGregor has some words of encouragement for the returning Ronda Rousey

If there’s one person in fight business that can relate to Conor McGregor, it is most certainly Ronda Rousey.

As two of the biggest stars the sport of mixed martial arts has ever produced both Rousey and McGregor have faced their fair share of criticism. But while McGregor has continued to not only embrace, but shine under the spotlight, Rousey has essentially stayed out of the headlines for the better part of the last year.

But now, more than 12 months after her last fight, Rousey is finally set to return to the Octagon as she challenges current bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes in the main event of UFC 207 in December.

But what’s McGregor’s message for the former champion? The Irishman kept it simple.

“I’d tell her to go shut them all up now. Shut them all up. Go and stake your claim again,” McGregor told Sports Illustrated by phone while promoting his new role in forthcoming Call of Duty game.

Rousey (12-1), also a former Strikeforce champion and Olympic bronze medalist, has not been seen inside the Octagon since Holly Holm’s shin slapped across her head at UFC 193 last November.

This setback not only marked Rousey’s first professional defeat, it seemed to give the rest of the world ammo to take aim at the fallen champion. She went from America’s sweetheart to public enemy number one overnight.

Rightfully so, she stepped away from the spotlight to regroup from the devastating loss.

But while she’s gone, the UFC’s 135-pound women’s division has seen two more champions crowned. First Holm dropped the title she won to Rousey’s longtime rival Miesha Tate after succumbing to a fifth round rear naked choke at UFC 196. Fast forward three months and fans saw Nunes dethrone Tate in the first round at UFC 200, taking her belt in the process.

So come December, Rousey has a chance to reclaim not only her belt but now has a change to prove her doubters wrong, something McGregor knows a thing or two about.

“I wish Ronda nothing but the best, it’s good to see her back,” McGregor continued. “Some people take defeat and losses a certain way. You see how some fighters take losses. I’m happy she is ready to go again and I wish her well.”

“Go and shut these people up now. Go and get what you began back. I’m excited to see how it unfolds.”

UFC 207 will go down on December 30 at the T-Mobile Arena.