The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight division isn’t as clear a picture as it was a year ago.
After Ronda Rousey’s world came tumbling down — thanks to a perfectly placed high kick from Holly Holm at UFC 193 (see it) — Holly’s own title reign was short-lived thanks to Miesha Tate’s jiu-jitsu display at UFC 196 a few weeks ago.
Sure, UFC President Dana White insists a trilogy fight between Tate and Rousey is in the works for later this year, but Team “Cupcake” isn’t keen on waiting for Ronda’s return.
That said, there is no telling who Miesha will face next. And while Holm would love nothing more to avenge the first loss of her mixed martial arts (MMA) career, she wouldn’t be opposed to working her way back to a tile shot. Even if it means having to beat Rousey one more time.
And don’t think “The Preacher’s Daughter” hasn’t noticed Ronda hinting at an early return to action following her loss, like her biting into apples followed by cryptic messages to Dana White.
“If that’s the case, then things will play out how the play out. Other people will see if she is coming back now there are different motives. I know for me I want to be able to fight and I know that the title isn’t mine, I can’t really delegate or say what I want and it’s frustrating. I have no one to blame but myself. I lost the fight. If they put that fight on, I have to wait and suck it up and wait for my chance. I’d like to rematch both of them. Of course, if I had it my way, I would like to avenge my loss because that is the thing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth right now. I want to work for that, but I would take either fight for sure. That’s just how it is. I want to take whatever opportunity I have. I am motivated to avenge my loss. That’s the biggest thing on my mind.”
Rousey has yet to confirm when she’ll return to action (especially because of this), leaving the door open for UFC matchmakers to book an instant do-over between Tate and Holm.
But, since Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are in talks to rematch at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, it’s highly unlikely the women’s bantamweight title rematch will go down on the same card, seeing as how it would look like a repeat of UFC 196.