UFC President, Dana White, made the announcement on UFC Fox Sports 1’s UFC Tonight show, that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, will not be Holly Holm’s next fight.
Though White remained mum on details surrounding the announcement, the much anticipated rematch, anticipated for UFC 200, will take a back seat to what most likely will play out as Holly Holm’s first title defense coming not against Rousey, but “Rowdy’s” rival and perennial contender, Miesha Tate.
Tate, the #2 ranked UFC women’s bantamweight, was initially promised a title shot against Rousey, ahead of Holm, where “The Preacher’s Daughter” would go on to deliver one of the greatest upsets in combat sports history, knocking Rousey senseless with a devastating head kick.
Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm Rematch Off
Though a rematch hasn’t be ruled out – should Holm win – the announcement jeopardizes what has the potential to be the biggest selling UFC event in history in their landmark event, UFC 200 schedule for July.
But, despite potentially putting at risk the biggest payday of her career, Holm has been vocal about not wanting to wait until the summer, insisting she fight sooner than later.
Making the outlook even grimmer; the question of whether or not Rousey will be ready for UFC 200.
Given the severity of the knockout she suffered, many have questioned whether Rousey should return to the cage so soon – or if she will at all – and if she does, will six months be long enough to fix the gaping holes in her stand up that were exposed by Holm, especially with her attention divided for the first few months of 2016 filming two movies.
Regardless, with Rousey out of the picture for the time being, Holly Holm’s first title defense will also be the first time in the UFC’s history, there will be a women’s bantamweight title fight, without Ronda Rousey.
Main Image
