The Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey Rematch Can Wait
Thursday, November 19, 2015
What happens next? Where does the UFC go from here? The simple, logical, moneymaking answer is Ronda Rousey gets an immediate rematch. Not only does she get the rematch, she gets just enough time off that the rematch takes place at UFC 200 and makes more money than any fight in UFC history. But you know what? That’s boring. Now I’m not saying I won’t watch that fight, heck they could charge double and you better believe I’m still buying it. If and when that happens the pay-per-view buy rate will be through the roof and everyone involved will go home with their pockets lined in hundred dollar bills. However, the bantamweight division was just thrown on its head and I want to talk about all the amazing possibilities that exist in a world without a layoff for the newly crowned champ. Besides, this champ is no spring chicken. She isn’t standing with one foot outside the cage but at 34 years old, Holly Holm is the third oldest champion in the UFC. Fighting as clean a fight as she did against Rousey, I see no reason why she couldn’t jump back in the cage sooner rather than later.
Right out of the gate, I say the UFC needs to toss Miesha Tate into the cage with Holm. The Washington native was passed over for a title shot against Rousey by Holm just a few months back and it seems like maybe the UFC owes her one. Obviously Holm had nothing to do with the decision making process that led to Tate’s misfortune, but that doesn’t mean she can’t help right the wrong. With Rousey out of the picture, Tate is the clear number one contender. She has four straight wins and is coming off a performance against Jessica Eye that showed just what an experienced and smart fighter she is. To make things even more interesting, Tate and Rousey are bitter rivals and if Tate got a title shot ahead of Rousey, you better believe we would be hearing a lot about that from both parties. Rousey has spent years playing the villain when it comes to her rivalry with Tate and this would only fuel the fire. Meanwhile, Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm would be free to sit back and let this fight come to her. Holm wins this one in the 4th round by TKO.
Beyond that there would be new life for all of the past challengers of Rousey. Sarah Kaufman, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann would all be happy to step up and fight for the title, I’m sure. Not only that but up and comers like Spokane’s Julianna Peña would be knocking at the door before too long. Peña is on a three-fight win streak of her own and has been vocal about her desire to fight for UFC gold. So as you can see, the options are many. Fight after fight in a division that was just blown apart by the sound of a well timed left kick to the face of Ronda Rousey. It would be tragic if Rousey weren’t given the chance to win back her title but what would happen if she actually did? Say Rousey comes back and somehow wins back her title; fans would obviously be forced to wait for Rousey vs. Holm three and the rest of the division would be put on ice while the years fell off the calendar. I am not saying I don’t want to see the rematch, I do, but more than that I want to see what can happen in a division that is full of options and short on villains.
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