Holy Holm isn’t willing to sit around and wait for Ronda Rousey‘s return, and it doesn’t seem like she will be forced to. Speaking with UFC Tonight on Fox Sports 1, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the newly minted UFC women’s bantamweight champion will take another opponent before a rematch with Rousey happens.
WOW. You heard it here first. Dana White: “@HollyHolm WILL fight before she fights @RondaRousey.”
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) January 6, 2016
Despite weeks of insistence from White that an immediate Holm vs. Rousey rematch was the company’s plan, there have been lingering doubts about Rousey‘s availability over the coming months. Speaking with ESPN The Magazine’s Ramona Shelburne (Warning: NSFW language) in December, Rousey was less than optimistic regarding a quick return.
“It might be three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact,” she said.
While there is little doubt that Holm vs. Rousey 2 is among the biggest fights the UFC is capable of making at this time, the lack of a clear timetable has had Holm and her manager calling for a fight in the interim. White has announced no opponent or date, but one must imagine that former Strikeforce champion and current UFC contender Miesha Tate would be the pick for Holm‘s first title defense. There are numerous vacancies on upcoming UFC cards as well, with UFC 197 and UFC 198 both lacking a main event at this time.
As for Rousey, while White didn’t offer any new information regarding her comeback, he stated she will be back before long:
Dana: You’ll see @RondaRousey fight again. She’s dedicated the last 3+ years to working hard fighting + promoting…she will fight this year.”
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) January 6, 2016
Fans who are desperate for any glimpse of Rousey won’t have to do much waiting, however. NBC announced Tuesday that Rousey will host the January 23 edition of Saturday Night Live.
While there are still many questions regarding the immediate future of both fighters, it is safe to say that business is picking up.
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