Holly Holm reflects on her iconic victory over Ronda Rousey and discusses the possibility of Rousey’s return to fighting, emphasizing the importance of genuine motivation for a comeback.
Holly Holm’s career in combat sports is marked by unforgettable moments, none more iconic than her knockout of Ronda Rousey in 2015 to claim the UFC championship. Despite being a massive underdog, Holm dominated Rousey at UFC 193, delivering a head kick that echoed worldwide. Fast forward a decade, and while Holm has moved on, Rousey’s recent return to training has sparked talk of a comeback.
Holm shared her thoughts with MMA Fighting, expressing openness to a rematch. “I don’t know if Ronda will ever fight again, but if she does, I won’t be shocked,” she remarked. Holm acknowledged Rousey’s passion for sports, a trait that propelled her to Olympic and UFC glory. Yet, Holm remains skeptical about a comeback, though she wouldn’t rule it out entirely.
Rousey’s UFC journey ended abruptly after losses to Holm and Amanda Nunes. Post-defeat, she vanished from the MMA scene, only to reappear in the wrestling world with WWE. Recently, Rousey has voiced frustration over fan treatment, attributing it to the sport’s fickle nature. Holm, however, believes Rousey’s self-imposed isolation played a role.
Reflecting on Rousey’s exit, Holm noted, “She pulled herself away.” Unlike other champions who face adversity head-on, Rousey retreated, impacting fan perception. Holm feels that Rousey’s return would still be met with cheers, despite her belief that Rousey perceives widespread opposition.
When Rousey lost to Holm, she sought medical attention but avoided addressing the fight publicly. Her subsequent fight against Nunes saw a similar media silence. After that loss, Rousey retreated once more, leaving fans in the dark.
Holm, preparing for a boxing title fight, empathizes with Rousey’s possible desire to rewrite her story. “Maybe she feels she wants to come back and make it right,” Holm speculated. She understands the itch to avenge losses, a sentiment shared by many athletes.
However, Holm cautions against returning solely to erase past disappointments. She hopes Rousey, if contemplating a comeback, does so for genuine reasons. Holm concluded, “It definitely needs to be if she really wants to fight, not just because she wants it to be different.”