After weeks of rumbling from both camps, it appears we finally have a date for the much-anticipated Ronda Rousey-Holly rematch. According to UFC head honcho Dana White, the fight will take place on July 9 in Las Vegas. This is what most fight fans expected following Rousey’s stunning loss in Australia at UFC 193. But earlier this week, Holly Holm’s manager made news when he spoke about a possible fight with top contender Miesha Tate, someone Ronda Rousey has beaten on two separate occasions.
When asked what he thought of Holm’s manager, Lenny Fresquez, Dana White responded: “We’re real concerned with [Fresquez’s] opinion.” That’s code for “shut your mouth, I’m in charge here.”
The seven-month hiatus should give Rousey enough time to recuperate from her injuries. In a recent interview with ESPN, Rousey talked about the mental and physical toll the fight took on her.
“I got hit in that first round. … I cut my lip open and knocked a couple of my teeth loose. I was out on my feet from the very beginning. It was like a dumbed-down dreamy version of yourself making decisions. … I was just trying to shake myself out of it. I kept saying to myself, ‘You’re okay, keep fighting. You’re okay, keep fighting.’”
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“I just feel so embarrassed. How I fought after that is such an embarrassing representation of myself. I wasn’t even f*cking there.”
Now, to be clear, the fight is not set in stone. Usually when both camps agree, the UFC will make a big announcement on their website and Dana White will make a big splash on Twitter with the info. But for all intents and purposes, get ready for Rousey-Holm 2.0.
Hopefully this time Rousey comes slightly more prepared for a striker of Holm’s ability.