Holly Holm’s first defense of the UFC women’s bantamweight title will be a summer rematch with Ronda Rousey despite Holm’s wishes to fight sooner.
“It’s Rousey,” Dana White, president of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, confirming the immediate rematch has been slated for 9 July at the new 20,000-seat arena currently under construction on the Las Vegas strip and due to open early next year.
Holm’s manager Lenny Fresquez had previously expressed concerns over whether Rousey will be ready for a July return, saying the 34-year-old champion would prefer to stay busy against top contender Miesha Tate.
“I’m not sure Ronda will be ready for a July fight,” Fresquez told the Times on Tuesday. “She took a severe beating [in her fight with Holm] and I don’t think it’s in her best interest to take the next fight so fast.
“Holly’s used to staying active. We’re from the old school and we believe the No1 contender is there for a reason. ... [Tate] deserves a shot.”
Rousey, who this week spoke for the first time since her shocking head-kick knockout loss to Holm in Melbourne, was issued a medical suspension of up to 180 days after a suffering a badly split lip that required cosmetic surgery.
“It might be three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact,” the 28-year-old told ESPN The Magazine in an exclusive interview.
An estimated crowd of 20,000 filed the streets of downtown Albuquerque on Sunday for a parade feting Holm, the New Mexico native known as the Preacher’s Daughter.
Holm, who improved to 10-0 in mixed martial arts with the seismic upset, is the first person to win major championships in both MMA and boxing. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, widely regarded as the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighter, has called her the greatest female athlete in the history of combat sports.
._Patrick_s_Day_Parade_94380.jpg?w=600)
