The next time Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm enter the Octagon together, it will be in a highly-anticipated rematch of their ferocious fight at UFC 193, UFC chief Dana White says. And that will happen on at July 9 in Las Vegas, if he has his way.
The only thing holding up the rematch at this point is Holm’s desire to defend her title before next July. On Tuesday, her promoter said he wanted Holm to defend her belt in a fight against Meisha Tate, the fighter ranked behind Holm and Rousey in their weight class.
“We’d like to fight Miesha,” he said. “We understand there are risks, but Holly’s a dominant champion, and she wants to fight the best. Right now, Miesha is the best.”
White told the Los Angeles Times that Holm is going to be disappointed. “It’s Ronda,” he said when asked who the champ will fight next.
White also dismissed concerns about Rousey’s ability to prepare for a fight eight months after Holm rocked her world in Melbourne. “Ronda is the fiercest competitor I have ever met in my life and she’s also very proud,” he said. “She will overcome it and be back.”
Photos by Photo: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC / Getty Images