Holly Holm, who ended Ronda Rousey’s reign as UFC Bantamweight champion – and her dominance in MMA – with a head kick heard ’round the world, says her former rival is unlikely to climb back in the cage to compete again. She feels like “The Rowdy One” has moved on to a new chapter in life and isn’t looking back.
With the recent retirement of UFC icon Amanda Nunes, some fans and media were speculating if the fight game’s most legendary lady might decide to go a few more rounds. Since departing the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Rousey has been a performer in Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment. And with the WWE now merging with UFC under the banner of parent company Endeavor, crossover stars like Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar have been mentioned as possible attractions. However, no word on any type of cross-promotion between the two leagues has not been announced by either McMahon or UFC President Dana White yet.
As she prepares to face Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1) on Saturday night on UFC Fight Night, Holm (15-6-0) feels that her Rowdy rival is focusing on a new career as well as being a mother, so she really doesn’t see Rousey deciding to fight again.
“She’s doing her thing. Let her live,” Holm recently said in a discussion with MMA Fighting. “Obviously she’s not passionate about fighting anymore. Let her do her thing. She’s still active. She’s still living her life. She’s still doing her thing. Let her do it.”
The sudden interest in Ronda Rousey again is a little odd, considering she has given no indication that she wants to return to reclaim her legacy in UFC. And she doesn’t have much to prove, either. She’s already a Hall of Famer and will always be remembered as a pioneer in women’s mixed martial arts. And on the sports entertainment side of the ledger, she’s reportedly scheduled to take some time away from WWE soon to spend time with her family. No mention of trading blows with anyone have surfaced – at least not from Team Rousey.
“I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s just fans want it so bad that they’re just wishing it to come true,” Holm said. “She’s doing her own thing. Honestly, I truly think she’s happier doing what she’s doing now than she was in fighting. I just sense that. I don’t know so I’m not going to say 100 percent on that, but I sense that she’s enjoying her time and her life and being a mom and doing her wrestling. I honestly don’t think [she’s coming back].
Holly Holm KO's Ronda Rousey with head-kick in UFC 193 to become new UFC bantamweight champion. pic.twitter.com/HEdpukHncA
— MambaArmor (@mambaarmor) July 10, 2023
“There’s so many different levels of it. There’s losses and things that can take you down emotionally and beat you up. There’s been a time, I had a big loss and somebody came up and said, ‘It’s not the end of the world,’ and I was like, actually, that’s exactly what it feels like.”
“You pour your heart and soul in there,” Holm continued. “It is everything, emotional, physical, spiritual, and you pour everything into it.
“So sometimes I think if a fighter retires, it may be because of the body, the physicality. Maybe it’s because of the emotions. There’s a lot. It takes a lot just to get to one fight.”
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