Ronda Rousey's Rematch Dreams Are Officially Ruined
On Saturday in Las Vegas, UFC champion Holly Holm lost to Miesha Tate in a fifth-round submission. It was the latest stoppage for a title change in UFC history, and clouds the near future regarding Holms' possible rematch against Ronda Rousey.
The fight between Holm and Tate started slowly, with the two trading jabs, and sometimes taking the fight to the floor. But in the fifth round, Tate was able to lock the defending champ onto a standing rear-naked choke that eventually forced Holm to end the fight.
This transfer of the belt complicates a potential rematch between two former champs, Rousey and Holm. On one hand, Rousey would like to regain the belt, but on the other, it is clear that she has unfinished business with Holm. She was even rooting for Holm to win last night, saying, “I don’t want anyone else to take the honor of beating her besides myself.”
Even current champ Miesha Tate would like to see a Holm vs. Rousey rematch, but said that UFC will have to make it a non-title fight. It seems more likely that they will pit Rousey against Tate for another title bout. The two have already squared off twice in their careers, with Rousey taking the win in both fights.
Watch Rousey talk about being inspired by tennis champ Serena Williams to bounce back after her last crushing defeat against Holm: