Why Ronda Rousey deserves an immediate re-match
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Ronda Rousey is definitely getting her rematch.
White said to ESPN that the obvious marketability of a fight titled Holm versus Rousey II ensures a rematch. White added that if the rematch didn't happen then he along with UFC co-owner cum CEO, Lorenzo Fertitta, would likely lose his promoter’s license.
Rousey got knocked out with a head kick during the second round of her fight with Holm. Prior to Holm, Rousey had dominated all the previous six UFC opponents.
Holm has also agreed to the fact that Rousey deserves a rematch. So far, Rousey had been going pretty much undefeated. She has taken the sport to an entirely new level beating the world's best female mixed martial artists in under a minute.
With such outstanding performances and loads of potential, awarding a rematch to Rousey seems fair enough.
During her fight with Holm, Rousey received criticism for relentless trash-talking. She was also condemned for foregoing the customary glove touching ritual before the fight with Holm.
Rousey might have lost her likeability, but White is sure that this new turn of events has certainly only added to her widespread fame. Many have compared Rousey to former boxing champion, Mike Tyson for her seeming invincibility.
In fact, Rousey's loss to Holm was her first ever career defeat.
Her loss was such a shocking event that more than one hundred million people were buzzing about it on social media. White said that he thinks Rousey is even “bigger” now than she was before the loss.
However, fans might have to wait a while for the rematch. Rousey is currently on a 45-day medical suspension post the fight. For a period of 45 days, she is not allowed any contact and, therefore, there is no possibility of a fight in the near future.
Rousey has herself been keeping a low profile ever since her loss. In an Instagram post, she wrote, “I’m going to take a little bit of time, but I’ll be back.”
Speculations are rife that Rousey's numerous media obligations and roles in Hollywood movies promoting camper electronics might have contributed to her loss as she likely did not get the chance to prepare well for her fight with Holm.
However, White insists that it was Holm's abilities that derailed the 28-year-old rather than Rousey’s own failures. White admits that he cannot vouch for the right answer as to why the loss happened in the first place.
He said, “This woman who was so dominant - other than the fact Holly Holm is for real.”