With a lengthy recovery time set for Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm may have to wait over six months before she fights again! While we understand why this is happening it’s still not cool to have to wait. But it all comes down to what Mr. Dana White says, not the fighters.
More info on the story courtesy of espn.com below!
The UFC has targeted a bantamweight title rematch between Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey on July 9 in Las Vegas, despite a report that Holm wishes to fight sooner.
UFC president Dana White told Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that “it’s Rousey” next for Holm. The Times printed a story earlier this week, quoting Holm’s manager Lenny Fresquez, stating the former world boxing champion has interest in fighting Miesha Tate instead.
Holm (10-0) claimed the UFC title in stunning fashion last month, knocking out Rousey (12-1) in the second round with a left head kick at UFC 193. White immediately expressed interest in a rematch. Rousey recently told ESPN The Magazine she wants the Holm fight, but is facing a lengthy recovery time from their last encounter.
“Holly’s used to staying active,” Fresquez told the Times. “We’re from the old school and we believe the No. 1 contender is there for a reason. [Tate] deserves a shot, but it’s not for me to decide.”
Tate (17-5) is currently on a four-fight win streak and was actually expected to fight Rousey early next year, before the UFC switched gears and announced a matchup between Rousey and Holm. She is a former Strikeforce bantamweight champion.
White, who has been in contact with Rousey since her defeat, told ESPN last week he and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta should “probably lose our promoter’s license” if the company didn’t book a rematch. The UFC is scheduled to host a landmark UFC 200 pay-per-view event on July 9 at a newly built 20,000-seat arena in Las Vegas.
“Ronda Rousey has gone undefeated; she’s taken the sport to another level and beaten the best women in the world in 14 seconds, 30 seconds. She deserves a rematch. Holly agrees she deserves a rematch. We’ll figure it out.”
Rousey, a former U.S. Olympian in judo, had finished all 12 of her professional fights prior to the loss. She became the first female to ever sign a UFC contract in 2012 and entered the promotion as the inaugural 135-pound champion. Fighting out of Glendale, California, Rousey recorded six UFC title defenses.
