Surprise: Many hoped Ronda Rousey's next fight would be against Cris Cyborg or a rematch with Meisha Tate. In an odd twist, UFC fans will be seeing Rousey take on Holly Holm at UFC 193. It's one of Rousey's most difficult fights to date.
In November, Rousey will defend her UFC Women's Bantamweight title for a record seventh time. She's 12-0 in the Octagon without being fully tested. Eleven of her 12 fights have ended in the first round. Her fights are so abrupt that she has earned the reputation of a modern-day Mike Tyson.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jason Silva, Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Tale of the tape: Holly Holm
Holm is an accomplished boxer who will knock you out. She joined the UFC in 2014, and she has won her last two fights against Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau. She's a two-time Ring Magazine Female Fighter of the Year. Before becoming an MMA fighter, Holm was a three-division boxing champion.
Don't even think of tuning in a second late to UFC 193. Rousey's last three fights have lasted a combined 64 seconds.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jason da Silva, Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
A battle of differing styles
Holm and Rousey's styles of fighting are extremely different, which should make this match even more fascinating. Holm is a devastating striker because of her background in boxing, while Rousey is a former Olympic judo wrestler. Then again in recent fights, Rousey's striking has greatly improved. Will we see these two throw haymakers all night?
Rousey will not only have the fans on her side, but also the odds are ever in her favor. According to MMAOddsBreaker.com, the initial odds place Rousey as the resounding favorite at minus-1450, which is a 93.55 percent probability to win. Holm is listed at plus-950. That means for every $100 you bet, you'll win $950 if Holm completes the upset.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jason Silva, Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Wikipedia already thinks Rousey has won
Having the Vegas odds in your favor is one thing, but to have Wikipedia predict the future is another. In September, Rousey's Wikipedia page was changed to say she already defeated Holm by armbar submission 48 seconds into the first round. The page has since been corrected, but Rousey fans sure know how to use the internet.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor
Both fighters are undefeated in MMA
Rousey has barely broken a sweat, let alone been in jeopardy of losing a fight in her 12 UFC bouts. Holly Holm is also undefeated in MMA with a 9-0 record. Six of Holm's nine fights have ended by knockout.
Holm might be undefeated in MMA, but many, including UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan, wonder if she should even be in the ring with Rousey. Rogan recently said on his podcast that he would not have scheduled the fight because Holm lacks the talent to best Rousey. He definitely didn't pull any punches.
Although some believe this fight might be one-sided, Rousey respects the talents of Holm. The undefeated UFC champion said Holm is the "most decorated striker ... in all of mixed martial arts."
Holm has such confidence in herself that she believes she can pull off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. The championship bout comes in just her third UFC fight, but Holm's initial reaction to the match was she "can do this."
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor
The fight will break records
The fight between Rousey and Holm was originally scheduled for January, but UFC moved up the fight to November 14. One of the reasons the fight was rescheduled was to break an attendance record at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, which seats 90,000 fans.
Rousey had her own WrestleMania moment earlier this year, but UFC 193 will feel like the biggest event of her career. When Rousey heard of the attendance number, she said the moment will have the feel of a WrestleMania.
Ever since Holm stepped foot in the ring, she's had an admirer, who just so happens to be Rousey. Rousey knew that once Holm joined UFC that their paths would cross because Holm is such a talented fighter.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jason da Silva, Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Rousey says she's the GOAT
It took just 12 UFC fights, but Ronda Rousey has already entered the conversation for the greatest of all time. Rousey, never one to lack confidence, recently proclaimed herself the best fighter in the world at a promotional event for UFC 193.
