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Ronda Rousey Rumours Denied by Freddie Roach, Says Holly Holm ‘Embarrassed’ Her

Legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach has denied speculation he’ll be training MMA star Ronda Rousey in the wake of her shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
“I’m getting a lot of calls and stuff and they are saying ‘Are going to tr…

Legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach has denied speculation he’ll be training MMA star Ronda Rousey in the wake of her shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.

“I’m getting a lot of calls and stuff and they are saying ‘Are going to train her? Are you going to train her?’ I haven’t talked to anybody. Nobody has contacted me I promise,” the 55-year-old responded when asked about the rumours, per Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com.

Roach, who has been unerringly accurate with pre-fight predictions in the past, did admit that he fancied Rousey’s chances going into this one but that she was “embarrassed” by the former world champion boxer, per Reeno:

I picked Ronda to win that fight because I thought it would go to the ground and be over quickly, like when James Toney [fought Randy Couture], because I wasn’t sure how good [Holm] was with the grappling. But she has 33 wins or 31 wins as a pro boxer and so forth, and she did very well.

She made her look like an amateur boxer because [Rousey] doesn’t have any boxing ability pretty much, but she does have a ground game. In MMA you have to have both. If you don’t have like three different sports, you can’t make it in MMA. She embarrassed [Rousey] a little bit I think.

It was certainly the worst night of Rousey’s career, as she was tagged with ease by Holm throughout the contest. Eventually, a thunderous left from the challenger stunned the former champion, allowing Holm to deliver a brutal kick to the head which downed Rousey, before the referee called off the bout.

Here’s a reminder of the finish which shocked MMA experts around the world, per BT Sport UFC:

While the knockout was devastating, it was the work done by Holm in the early stages of the fight which set up the finishing blows perfectly. Rousey was far too upright in her advances on the night, allowing Holm to fend her off with her superior striking, while planting some seeds of hesitancy and eventually picking her shots with ease.

MMA History Today commented on the manner in which Holm ruthlessly exposed Rousey’s deficiencies:

Prior to UFC 193, Rousey’s stellar judo background and unrelenting intensity saw her blitz through opposition, and they’re qualities that will aid her in winning more fights in the future. However, if she wants to wrestle back the UFC bantamweight title from Holm, then it’s clear she needs to make some refinements.

So while boxing and MMA are completely different disciplines, working with someone like Roach, who is so well versed in the fundamentals of the sweet science, could be to her benefit, especially when it comes to defensive strategies against a capable puncher.

Indeed, another boxing legend, the retired, undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., has offered to lend a hand, too, per Ben Thompson of Fight Hype (via Bleacher Report):

There’s no denying Rousey has the temperament to bounce back from this heavy defeat. But it’s inevitable that after Holm forensically exposed her flaws with a classy performance, other opponents will target these weaknesses. They’ll also be a little more brazen against a fighter who was previously thought to be untouchable inside the Octagon.

Overcoming the embarrassment of losing so spectacularly will also pose a significant mental challenge for Rousey. Putting some hard work into improving her striking skills would undeniably aid in that process.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Samman’s Corner – Behind the Lines

The fight is won or lost, far away from witnesses.It is won behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road,Long before I dance under those lights-Muhammad Ali A stocky Brazilian in a loose, cutoff t-shirt is on the center of the mats. The top half of one of his arms is tattooed in a tribal pattern, the lower half of the pattern on the other arm. He has his hair tightly wound on the back of his head, a sort of trademark before it became a hairstyle. He’s floating his foot in the air as he demonstrates the proper posture for a kick, instructing the fighters on the body mechanics … Read the Full Article Here

Following Demoralizing Loss, Where Does Rousey Go From Here?

^{Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images}

Holly Holm’s upset at UFC 193 wasn’t just a win, it was a wrecking of Ronda Rousey’s world. It was the equivalent of throwing a cold glass of water on the shared superstar dreams of Rousey and UFC president Dana White.

Fighters suffer big losses on a fairly regular basis in the UFC; it happens and the good ones always bounce back. But this time was different.

The post Following Demoralizing Loss, Where Does Rousey Go From Here? appeared first on Cagepotato.

^{Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images}

Fighters suffer big losses on a fairly regular basis in the UFC; it happens and the good ones always bounce back. But this time was different.

Rousey wasn’t a star amongst stars in the company – she was the star. White has made it no secret that Ronda is far and away the biggest draw in the UFC. And not only was she the No. 1 name, but her stardom was built upon a platform of invincibility.

It’d be one thing if Ronda got caught with a lucky right hand amidst an otherwise good performance, but Rousey was decimated, outclassed and embarrassed by a much better fighter. You can’t be the face of a fighting company when other fighters can thoroughly dominate you.

Holm also ruined Rousey’s perfectly laid vacation plans. The idea was for Ronda to relax after another win. She was going to rest up, work on some movies, maybe do some more marketing and enjoy life outside the octagon.

That’s all changed now. First, Ronda needs to recover from her beating – but then she needs to immediately work on her stand-up game and her striking defense. Holm laid out a blueprint on how to take advantage of Ronda’s one-dimensional focus. Now, not only is Holly a serious threat to the former champ, but all the other women looking to knock off Rousey have witnessed a successful game plan.

As for the movies and other business opportunities, Ronda needs to first rebound in the octagon if she hopes to completely rehabilitate her image. While there’s still marketing appeal to Rousey today, questions will hover until she proves she can bounce back. Before the weekend, Ronda was an unbeatable warrior who some say could have toppled even Floyd Mayweather, Jr. As of today, she’s the girl the other girl sent to the hospital.

By Jerome Matthews

The post Following Demoralizing Loss, Where Does Rousey Go From Here? appeared first on Cagepotato.

Ronda Rousey Slammed by Former Manager Darin Harvey After Holly Holm Defeat

Darin Harvey, the ex-manager of MMA star Ronda Rousey, has claimed the former UFC bantamweight champion is “not a good person” in the wake of her devastating loss to Holly Holm in Melbourne, Australia at UFC 193.
Few know Rousey quite as we…

Few know Rousey quite as well as Harvey, who split from Rowdy back in 2013. Any goodwill between the pair seems to have completely disappeared, though, with the manager revealing he feels as though the 28-year-old has got a little too big for her boots as of late.

“I created a monster,” he said of Rousey, per Josh Peter of USA TODAY. “She believed she was as special as the press made her out to be. They give me absolutely no credit for the success of her career. She’s not a good person. You don’t forget where you came from.”

Indeed, the pair are currently embroiled in a legal dispute, with Rousey revealing back in September at during a Q&A that Harvey was suing her, per Adrian MacNair of MMA Mania.

Commenting on her loss to Holm, Harvey revealed he had mixed feels as Rousey endured the lowest moment of her career: “It was kind of bittersweet. Part of me was elated and part of me was saddened. The part of me that was saddened was that once I was identified with representing the top female fighter in the world. No longer do I have that title.”

Here’s a reminder of the shocking knockout that Rousey suffered at the Etihad Stadium, per BT Sport UFC:

Rousey’s attitude has been a little off as of late. The former champion posted an expletive Instagram post in reference to Holm after the two tussled at the weigh-in on the eve of their title fight and in the Octagon before the bout itself, the champion refused to touch gloves with the challenger, as is customary.

Chamatkar Sandhu of MMA Junkie commented on how gracious Holm was in victory despite Rousey’s pre-fight antics:

Still, there’s no denying Rousey has done plenty of good for the sport. The manner in which she surged to forefront of the UFC with her unrelenting style of fighting has made her an international sensation and in the main, she is a wonderful example to many.

There’s no denying that as a fierce competitor, Rowdy will want to bounce back from her first loss in the sport too. Luke Thomas of MMA Fighting doubted whether Rousey could come out on top if the pair were to meet again:

Harvey’s views are certainly intriguing, but it’s tough to take the comments at face value given the ongoing dispute between the pair. What is certain, though, is that Rousey will learn plenty from the defeat to Holm, especially when it comes to respecting opponents. If she’s as tenacious as many thought prior to UFC 193, she’ll emerge from the experience as a better fighter.

The criticism is coming in thick and fast for the former champion, and it may be tough for her to initially deal with. But one defeat shouldn’t rob her of the glittering reputation she has established both inside and outside the Octagon during her rapid rise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Floyd Mayweather Criticizes Ronda Rousey Haters, Denies 50 Cent Instagram Claim

Ronda Rousey has found an unlikely ally in the wake of the widespread criticism coming her way after losing to Holly Holm: previous antagonist Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Rousey was knocked out brutally by Holm at UFC 193 in M…

Ronda Rousey has found an unlikely ally in the wake of the widespread criticism coming her way after losing to Holly Holm: previous antagonist Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Rousey was knocked out brutally by Holm at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia, setting social media ablaze. Naturally, a lot of the chatter has been critical of the MMA star, but retired boxed Mayweather thinks some of it has been over the top, per Ben Thompson of Fight Hype:

I don’t think it’s cool how everyone is trolling her on social media. Certain things you have to learn. People will love you on Friday and then Sunday morning, it’s nothing but negative comments and people making jokes and people making fun about you, which I don’t think is cool.

I’ve never been on the other side, so I don’t know how it feels. I’m pretty sure she’s a very, very strong person, but we still have to take into consideration that she has feelings. Everything happens for a reason. This was already written. Listen, if God says, ‘In Floyd’s career, I don’t want him to lose,’ you know what? I wasn’t going to lose.

That doesn’t mean that I haven’t took a loss before. I’m not talking about boxing; I’m just talking about life. When you lose a loved one, that’s taking a loss. I think that everything is just a learning experience. In due time, she’ll be able to bounce back and make some noise again in mixed martial arts.

Here’s the knockout suffered by Rousey on the night, per BT Sport UFC:

Mayweather did initially seem to be behind some of the most high-profile criticism of Rousey. His close friend, rapper 50 Cent, posted the following on his Instagram account, editing the beaten MMA star onto the iconic image of fictional character Rocky Balboa tending to a dying Apollo Creed in the film Rocky IV:

According to 50 Cent, Mayweather put him up to the stunt, although that’s been denied by the 38-year-old. “That’s not true at all,” said the undefeated fighter, per Thompson. “I haven’t really spoke to anyone about the Ronda Rousey situation, just to set the record straight. I don’t have anything against MMA fighters.”

The support for Rousey is a change in dynamic after some heated words have been exchanged between the pair. The UFC star had previously responded to Mayweather’s jibe that he didn’t “know who he is” (in reference to Rousey) after beating the boxer to the Best Fighter gong at the ESPYs. Rousey asked Mayweather, “I wonder how Floyd feels being beat by a woman for once?” per Scott Rafferty of Rolling Stone.

With that in mind, many expected Mayweather to stick the boot into Rousey given the chance, although it seems as though he’s decided to take a more neutral stance on the matter. And he’s correct in his assessment that despite this defeat, the former champion will bounce back again.

While Mayweather himself won all 49 of his professional fights in boxing, UFC is a lot more intense and, therefore, much easier for one sequence to swing the result of a bout. As Luke Thomas of MMA Fighting noted, some of the greats of the sport have suffered losses in the past too:

One of the fighters noted by Thomas, Anderson Silva, has also come out in support of Rousey, posting a heartfelt message to her on his Instagram account, per Ryan McKinnell of Yahoo:

You are a great athlete and transcend the MMA world. My kids love you. So, don’t forget: to fall makes us stronger to stand up. You deserve the best of this world. Nobody is forever. All of us lost and to lose make us stronger. So, I wish you peace and lots of patience. Hold this experience with intelligence and don’t blame yourself.

Indeed, it seems those who are or have very recently been at the top of their respective sports have been much more understanding in their assessment of Rousey’s loss. Silva and Mayweather are versed in the pressures that accompany being the very best in their respective disciplines and, as such, are much more likely to be sympathetic toward Rousey, who is of a similar stature.

The fast-paced nature of social media means reaction to shock results such as this one will always be overblown, but it’s encouraging to see someone like Mayweather take a respectful stance on this occasion.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort Rematch in the Works, Says Dana White

UFC President Dana White has confirmed discussions are underway about a possible rematch between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.
White was speaking to UFC co-commentator Joe Rogan on his podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, when talk turned to the pote…

UFC President Dana White has confirmed discussions are underway about a possible rematch between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.

White was speaking to UFC co-commentator Joe Rogan on his podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, when talk turned to the potential bout. When Rogan insisted that’s a fight he’d like to see, the UFC chief revealed the wheels are in motion.

“I know,” said White when pressed on the possibility of the two Brazilians fighting again, per Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting. “I don’t disagree. We’re working on it.” He also confirmed Belfort is keen on getting the fight scheduled, although didn’t reveal whether Silva was equally willing.

The two men previously fought at UFC 126 in 2011. On that occasion, Silva picked up an early knockout victory after a stunning front-kick connected sweetly on Belfort’s chin.

The win for Silva made up part of his record sequence of title defences, which spanned an impressive 10 fights before a loss to Chris Weidman in 2013. The 40-year-old lost to Weidman again in a rematch after fracturing his leg, and his first fight upon returning from the devastating injury, against Nick Diaz, was ruled a no contest after Silva tested positive for banned substances.

Belfort has recovered well from his defeat to Silva four years ago, although he has fallen short in the two title matches he’s had, losing to Jon Jones at light heavyweight and Weidman at middleweight. His last win was an impressive one, though, knocking out Dan Henderson in spectacular style.

While Silva is revered as one of the most gifted competitors ever to grace the sport, MMA journalist Josh Gross thinks Belfort deserves to be similarly highly thought of:

It’s a fight that will split the fans. On the one hand, if it was to go ahead, this would be a battle between two illustrious names, two wonderful strikers and given the age of both men, would be vital in potentially plotting a route back to the very top one last time. However, with Belfort and Silva 38 and 40 years old, respectively, they are both beyond their peak.

While there wouldn’t be a belt on the line, there’d be a few interesting subplots to the fight. Mike Johnston of Sportsnet noted one particular statistic Silva would be looking to amend:

White has teased MMA fanatics with these words and debate will naturally rage over the merits of these two going toe-to-toe again. Granted, there are a lot of exciting young fighters blitzing their way through the ranks who could do with some exposure on a big stage, but there’s nothing quite like seeing two established, experienced and exciting competitors pit their wits against each other.

Belfort may well be the favourite if the two meet. Despite his outrageous natural ability, should this fight take place in early 2016, it’d only be Silva’s second since December 2013, during which time he has had to recover from a fractured leg.

For someone in the twilight of his career, such a prolonged spell of inactivity is bound to have a debilitating impact. By contrast, Belfort proved against Henderson he still has the power to trouble anyone at this level.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com