Ronda Rousey says her rematch against Holly Holm could be her last final outing
After an unusual spell of being away from the constant spotlight, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey is finally spilling the beans on her current status and her impending rematch against Holly Holm.
For Ronda, the shocking loss in Melbourne at UFC 193 was ‘really f***ing sad’ and the aftermath of it hasn’t gone down too well either for the former Champion. The condition of her jaw is such that she wouldn’t even be able to eat an apple for the next three-six months, let alone getting back into the octagon to avenge her loss.
Yet, that ain’t keeping Rowdy from focussing on her much-anticipated return and her quest to reclaim the lost Bantamweight title. When asked whether a rematch was the next thing on her mind, Rousey stated that she has ‘nothing else to f***ing do or think about’.
According to Rousey, her future depends on how her rematch pans out to be – which could very well be Rowdy’s final outing inside the octagon.
"I guess it's all going to be determined by what happens in the rematch. Everything is going to be determined by that. Either I'll win and keep going or I won't and I'll be done with everything, " Ronda told ESPN Magazine.
Where on one side, Ronda has done her bit for the sport to call it quits at this juncture, UFC President Dana White wouldn’t be too pleased to see the promotion’s flagbearer retire from MMA.
The immediate rematch has been confirmed by Dana, which is set to happen whenever Rousey is healed up and cleared to fight. The burning question, though, is this – what is Rousey’s camp doing to avoid another loss for the former Bantamweight Champion?
After being comprehensively dominated in the striking department at the hands of a precise striker in Holly holm, Rousey’s long-time coach Edmond Tarverdyan was on the receiving end of all the blame for the previously unexposed loopholes in Rowdy's gameplan.
The onus of Rousey's flaws was all put on Tarverdyan. He has also drawn the ire of Rousey's mother – who has been a vocal detractor of Edmond Tarverdyan in the past.
"Of course I'm staying [with Tarverdyan]. That's my mom's opinion, not mine, “ Ronda said, reasserting the fact that Rowdy is in no mood to shift camps to plug the glaring holes in her game.
One thing is beyond doubt – Ronda would be back looking to take Holly down and erase the one blot in an otherwise spotless resume. If things don’t go Rowdy’s way, it could be the end of a great career of one of the greatest female athletes in recent memory.
Would the rematch end in Rousey's retirement or the former champion getting retribution against Holly?