Holly Holm stunned the world with her vicious knockout of Ronda Rousey on Saturday night, not only because she defeated a previously invincible women’s bantamweight champion, but because she thoroughly dominated her. Rousey took to Instagram after the shocking loss, and discussed her future a little bit.
So when Rousey’s back, who should she fight? Here are the three best choices.
Ronda Rousey Called Her Own Loss
Holly Holm (10-0)
Why not throw her back in there vs. Holm? Rousey is still UFC’s biggest star, and her run of dominance should entitle her to an automatic rematch, regardless of how badly she was beaten. Rousey will spend her time off improving her striking skills, as well as her defense against the stand-up game. The only question will be timing. If Holm wants to be an active champion, she may fight again before Rousey returns to the octagon. If not, expect the rematch to be sooner rather than later.
Dana White discussed a rematch in the post-fight press conference. “Obviously we don’t make fights the night of the fight, but the rematch makes a lot of sense. I think the rematch is what people would want to see. [Holm’s victory] changes a lot of things; the Cyborg fight, some other stuff we were working on.”
Rousey, Holm Had An Altercation At Their Weigh In
Holm agreed, and said she’s prepared to give Rousey an opportunity to take her title back. “I think a rematch makes sense for sure. I’ve been on a 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.
Amanda Nunes (11-4)
Nunes could be in line to face Holm next, or she could be used in an intriguing fight vs. Rousey. Nunes doesn’t have the spotless record of Holm, but she has similar buzz in the MMA community after back-to-back riveting wins over Shayna Baszler and Sara McMann. None of Nunes’ 11 wins have gone the distance, and with Rousey’s Hollywood career blossoming, she might not be long for the cage. Nunes would be a perfect foil to take the mantle from Rousey as one of UFC’s most exciting fighters, or she would be an impressive win for Rousey if she decides she will stick around.
Miesha Tate (17-5)
Tate has already lost to Rousey twice, but the animosity between the two is just too compelling to ignore. After Rousey’s loss, Tate seemed downright gleeful.
“I’m f-cking stoked; f-ck Ronda Rousey,” Tate told MMA News Source (via MMA Junkie). “F-ck her and her ‘Nobody has the right to beat me.’ Nobody has the right to beat you? Well you just got beat, b-tch.”
Tate could be in line for a crack at the championship belt, but she was passed over this time in favor of Holm, and could be overlooked for Nunes, a fresher face. Tate has won her last four fights, against quality opponents Liz Carmouche, Rin Nakai, Sara McMann and Jessica Eye, and she’s never faced Holm. But if Tate is bypassed again, a third bout vs. Rousey seems like good business.
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