The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion will put her comedic talent on full display at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York as the host of “Saturday Night Live.” Rousey becomes only the third female athlete ever to host “SNL,” joining figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and tennis great Chris Evert.

MORE: Rousey, as seen on TV | Athletes on “SNL”

History shows handing athletes the keys to the “SNL” kingdom can be a hit-or-miss proposition. We’ve watched Peyton Manning crush the gig, particularly in the United Way sketch from his appearance in 2007. We’ve also seen Michael Phelps do, uh, whatever he did.

For what it’s worth, former cast member Amy Poehler says athletes are generally good hosts because “they just want to know what the play is” and there is “no stress.” So Ronda, just trust the material and have some fun with the cast of “Not Ready for Primetime Players.”

1:00 — Rousey says goodbye. Overall, she was fine. If anything, it would have been nice to see her get a few more lines or a chance to be a crazy character as opposed to being the comedic “straight woman.” The cold open and monologue were clearly the highlights, and then things slowed down considerably. Maybe Rousey can get another shot one day and spread her wings a little more.

 

 

12:53 — Rousey invites two guys from the office — played by Beck Beckett and Kyle Mooney — to a party at her house. They don’t seem to understand the basic concept of a party, like what time it starts or what to bring. A few chuckles here and there, but the audience isn’t feeling it.

Next, a pre-recorded sketch about an app called “Settl.” It gives women a chance to date guys with characteristics they are “now willing to overlook.” Rousey does not appear in this one, and it’s the final sketch of the evening. 

12:47 — More Selena Gomez music!

12:41 — Rousey is someone at a community meeting? I think? This is starting to drag a bit. But her outfit was cool!

 

 

12:32 — Some sort of superhero thing. Rousey plays “Metalya,” who can bend metal with her mind. The most forgettable sketch of the evening.

We’ve stumbled upon a Digital Short! Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah brag about the size of their genitals to Rousey and her friends in a rap song, while Beck Beckett argues he will do some other things because he is not as well equipped. The song was along the same lines as the old Lonely Island favorites, but I’d stick to “I Just Had Sex” if that’s your kind of humor.

12:25 — “SNL” brings back the Teacher Trial sketch, which got a lot of laughs when Taraji P. Henson hosted last season. Rousey only got a few lines as one of two teachers accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. The Henson version was far superior to this one.

Check out the original below.

12:10 — Weekend Update. No Rousey here, but Leslie Jones had a funny bit about how she can get Leonardo DiCaprio to date her. It mostly involves making a ham sandwich. 

 

 

12:00 — Selena Gomez musical performance!

11:55 — Time for a sketch about “The Bachelor.” Taran Killam stars as “Bland Man,” and every woman starts out the date by saying “I like this.” Rousey hits the joke, “I served in Iraq. … I was a waitress in a diner there for three years.” Killam ultimately chooses Selena Gomez because, you know, she’s Selena Gomez.

11:44 — We have an Oscars-type set, and, of course, all of the white people win even with roles like “Unseen Voice on Phone.” Rousey doesn’t really have a part in this sketch, but you had to know “SNL” was going to address the #OscarsSoWhite topic.

In a pre-recorded bit, Rousey plays the nerdy girl on a dream date at a high school gym. She is ambushed by the popular kids, but she then beats the crap out of the girl and guy making fun of her. I definitely wouldn’t have crossed “Rowdy” as a teenager. 

 

MORE: Rousey teaming up with Tina Fey?

11:37 — Rousey starts her monologue by saying Holly Holm deserved to win their fight at UFC 193 (not a joke). The monologue was set up like a UFC bout with Rousey going to her corner between rounds to get some advice from “coach” Kenan Thompson. We got Kate McKinnon as Justin Bieber and a short song from Selena Gomez, Saturday night’s musical guest. Not a bad start.

 

 

11:30 — Tina Fey returns to spoof Sarah Palin’s endorsement of Donald Trump. Fey as Palin and Darrell Hammond as Trump — hard to argue with that formula. Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!

Show preparation — Rousey gave a “pregame chat” prior to the “SNL” dress rehearsal. Here’s what she had to say.