Holly Holm will take to the ring in Puerto Rico on Saturday as she seeks her fourth world title throughout numerous boxing weight lessons. The 44-year-old former UFC champion will face undefeated WBA light-weight titleholder Stephanie Hung this weekend on the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan. However as Holm prepares for certainly one of her greatest comebacks, her thoughts goes again to certainly one of martial arts’ most iconic moments, and a rematch that by no means occurred.
Holly Holm open to Ronda Rousey rematch
In a latest interview with Damon Martin, Holm revealed that she can be open to preventing Ronda Rousey once more. “I do not know if Ronda will struggle once more, however I would not be shocked if she did,” Holm stated.
“She was an Olympian and a champion. You aren’t getting to that time if you do not have ardour for the game, ardour for what you wish to do. If she comes again with that feeling, that may be nice. I do not suppose that is going to occur, but when that occurs…if she comes again, I am at all times hoping for a rematch as properly. So that you by no means know what life can convey.”
Rousey has been coaching not too long ago, resulting in elevated hypothesis about her potential return practically a decade after her final struggle. Holm understands that he’s a greater driver than most. After reaching all of it in boxing after which conquering MMA as a UFC champion, she herself retired as soon as and got here again, proving that elite athletes are sometimes itching to struggle once more.
What makes Holm’s perspective particularly astute is her trustworthy evaluation of how Rousey coped with the darkest moments of her profession. Rousey misplaced her UFC title to Holm in 2015 with a head kick KO, then misplaced once more to Amanda Nunes in 2016, successfully disappearing from public view.
“I feel Rhonda undoubtedly did not like the best way her profession ended, however I additionally suppose she takes numerous accountability for that as a result of she walked away from herself,” Holm defined. “You see a number of the champions, the reigning champions, after they have their hiccups, they a minimum of face the gang, face the digicam, face the followers, face the followers. I imagine there’s a bit bit extra respect in that regard.”
The fighter, who has spent her total profession pursuing rematch alternatives for her personal losses, believes Rousey can nonetheless reclaim her legacy if she chooses to struggle for the suitable causes. “I feel she wants to do this if she actually desires to struggle, not simply because she desires to be completely different, however as a result of even when she would not actually simply wish to struggle, that is not going to vary,” Holm stated.
“Martial arts followers and martial arts followers may be brutal on the aspect, however they’re additionally followers. They’re followers of the game and so they perceive that not every thing is at all times excellent and issues occur. If she confronted it differently, there is no judgment about it, but when she confronted it differently, possibly her personal coronary heart and The entire means she felt could not have been extra unfavourable. If she desires to come back again and make it proper for herself and be ok with it, and he or she has that want to exit and win…then she’ll have extra energy, I feel each athlete would really feel that means.
Their first assembly at UFC 193 in Melbourne stays one of the vital vital upsets within the historical past of the game. Rousey entered the November 2015 bout as a 22-1 favourite to win, the hardest odds in UFC title struggle historical past. Nonetheless, Holm placed on a masterclass, controlling 5 rounds earlier than scoring a knockout with a head kick 59 seconds into the second spherical. This occasion shattered information that appeared untouchable. 56,214 followers crammed Etihad Stadium, the biggest crowd in UFC historical past on the time, and greater than 1 million tickets have been bought for the pay-per-view. The upset devastated Las Vegas bookmakers. In a single day, Holm’s victory transcended sports activities and dominated sports activities protection. Rousey spent the night time within the hospital. She by no means granted a rematch.
For now, Holm’s focus is on Han. However in relation to the subsequent chapter in sports activities’ greatest comeback, Holm already has a solution.
