The year 2015 was a spectacular one for the UFC. Two of this biggest upsets in history have been achieved: Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor over Jose Aldo. Almost immediately after their fight, however, the former UFC Featherweight champ called for a rematch against the Irishman. This was not the case for Holm, who is actually slated to face off against Miesha Tate soon.
The rematch between Holm and Rousey has been up in the air until recently when the former UFC Bantamweight Women's champ herself declared its feasibility. Before this news, the Rouser had been pegged to return by UFC 200 - several months away from the next octagon fight of Holm. In fact, rumors began to go around that Rousey might be giving up the sport for good. Speculations on her involvement with Hollywood projects insisted that the once unbeatable UFC champ may exit the arena soon. However, Rousey herself slammed these rumors when she straightforwardly disclosed her desire to return to the ring and reclaim what she feels is rightfully hers.
"They [the UFC] haven't told me an exact date or location," Rousey said when asked about her return to the octagon, according to TMZ Sports. She added, "It's a decision we're all going to make together, but I'm kind of waiting to hear from them what options they're going to give me." The Rouser went on to confirm, "Of course [there'll be a rematch with Holm]."
Meanwhile, Rousey found herself an unexpected ally in the form of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino. The Invicta FC Featherweight titleholder shared that she and Rousey practically went through the same situation. In 2011, Cyborg saw herself falling from grace after the California State Athletic Commission suspended her following her victory over Hiroko Yamanaka. This forced her into seclusion, where she said to have found who are the real friends in her circle. The suspension was rooted from her use of steroids.
Inevitably, Cyborg became the butt of jokes - the same scenario that Rousey now faces. However, the Invicta champ is confident that the Rouser will rise from the situation and come out a better person. She said via MMA Fighting, "I think she'd like to use this to challenge herself and get better."
"To come in and change. Something bad in life has to happen before you change and grow. I can't say anything bad about her. She's been good for women's MMA. She opened a lot of doors. I know I [fought] before her, but she had opportunities and she's handled it and helped everybody," Cyborg added.
As for Holm, she is currently preparing for her bout against Tate. Apart from the new UFC Bantamweight Women's champ, Tate is the only opponent of Rousey, who got past the first round. However, Holm feels that a match up against Tate will require an entirely different preparation.
"Miesha Tate's a whole different fight than Ronda," said Holm, according to Fox Sports. She added, "Every fighter's different. I feel she has a pretty well-rounded game, she's kind of one of those scrappy fighters from any position."
Tate, meanwhile, believes that she can handle Holm better than the Rouser. She shared, "I don't see myself breaking ever in a fight and I think Ronda was broken in that fight. It's just different.
"I think I'm more comfortable on the feet and not to say that I think I'm a better striker than Holly, I wouldn't venture that far by any means, but I think I'm more patient, and I don't think I would be quite as desperate to run in like a bull chasing a matador," Tate added.
