Holly Holm's Camp Having Second Thoughts on Ronda Rousey Rematch: Find Out Why
The team of newly crowned UFC champion, Holly Holm, could be having second thoughts on sealing a rematch with Ronda Rousey.
After Holm shocked the MMA world with a second-round knockout victory versus "Rowdy" at UFC 193, the victor expressed that a rematch is a big possibility.
"I think a rematch makes sense for sure. I've been on the losing side of a fight and I wanted the rematch, I wanted to avenge my loss. With a champion like Ronda -- who has gone out of her way, above and beyond, to do great things -- absolutely she deserves a rematch," she was quoted by Yahoo Sports as saying.
But as Rousey continues her recovery after the beating she received from Holm, the latter's camp seems to be singing a different tune.
"Holly's used to staying active. 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," said Lenny Fresquez, Holm's manager.
He also expressed plans to fight Miesha Tate, though he claimed that there could be risks involved.
"Holly's a dominant champion, and she wants to fight the best. Right now, Miesha is the best," he added.
But UFC President, Dana White, has a different plan. White told the Los Angeles Times that it will be nobody but Rousey and Holm in her next fight.
"We're real concerned with his opinion," White responded sarcastically to the statements of Fresquez.
He also shared that he maintained regular communication with Rousey, even after her loss. White admitted that Rousey is one of his very close friends and that this has never been a secret.
The UFC president is also very confident that "Rowdy" will come back stronger and better.
"Ronda is the fiercest competitor I have ever met in my life and she's also very proud," White said. "What made the world love Ronda is that Ronda absolutely 100% knew she was not going to lose. ... People rallied around this powerful female figure," White added.
In trying to explain some of the highlights of the fight, he said that Rousey got clipped during the match, but she was still able to fight through it. White shared that the former UFC champ "got rocked" like she was never been hit before and that she did not see it coming.
In an earlier interview with ESPN, Rousey recalled how she got hit on the first round, cut her lip open and knocked some of her teeth loose.
She added that she was not herself during most of the fight and was making bad decisions.
"I just feel so embarrassed. How I fought after that is such an embarrassing representation of myself. I wasn't even fucking there," the MMA fighter added.