WHEN HOLLY HOLM shocked Ronda Rousey to win the UFC women’s bantamweight title at UFC 193 in Melbourne last November, UFC president Dana White said he’d deserve to lose his promoter’s licence if he didn’t arrange a rematch.
Rousey will still be given an opportunity to regain the belt when she returns, but Holm’s first title defence won’t be against her predecessor, who she defeated via second-round KO.
Dana White announced last night on FOX Sports 1′s UFC Tonight programme that Rousey will eventually return to action, but Holm will face a different opponent in the meantime.
“You will see Ronda Rousey fight again,” White said. “Ronda has some well-deserved time off, but she will fight this year.”
White added: “Holly Holm will fight before she fights Ronda.”
No opponent, date or venue was revealed, but it’s expected that Holly Holm will face former challenger Miesha Tate, who had been promised another shot at Rousey before the opportunity was given to Holm instead.
The UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on 9 July is believed to be the organisation’s preferred choice for a Holm-Rousey rematch.
