Fight Club: Rousey failed to answer the questions Holm asked

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  • Landing blows: Holm.

    There is a saying that some people use in the MMA world that if you’ve never lost, you’re not fighting the right people. Ronda Rousey typifies that.

    The 28-year-old boasted a record of 12 fights without defeat coming into UFC 193 at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium. In her previous six defences of the bantamweight crown, she had been taken beyond the first round just once, by Miesha Tate in their rematch in 2013.

    Her last three fights had lasted a combined one minute and 47 seconds and quite simply, she was the world’s most feared female prizefighter.

    Arguably, though, that was her downfall as American Holly Holm proved that no one is safe in mixed martial arts.

    Rousey is one of the most skilled fighters in UFC and her record more than backs that up. But the women’s divisions suffer from a lack of top level talent that could challenge a fighter of her skill level.

    And she knew that. Most of Rousey’s opponents are beaten before the bell even rings, intimidated by her reputation and her string of quick finishes.

    By shattering the champion with a vicious KO in the second round most will label Holm’s victory as the biggest upset in UFC history.

    But for the 34-year-old’s camp it’s not all that surprising. She is one of the most decorated strikers in all of MMA following an incredible boxing career, complete with a 33-2-3 record and a world title.

    Since switching to MMA four years ago, her ground game has left much to be desired and many believed coming in against a champion who had beaten half of her opponents by armbar, grappling would prove to be the difference.

    Regardless, though, Holm was always expected to ask questions Rousey had never answered before.

    Her stand-up game is so refined and her footwork so superior she was always going to cause problems. And so it would prove.

    After Rousey refused to touch gloves, she looked to get inside and avoid that dangerous snapping jab of Holm’s. But the tone of the fight quickly became apparent when she was caught with a left hand almost immediately.

    Holm was happy to let Rousey chase her around the Octagon but when the latter took the fight to the canvas that air of invincibility returned. Holm, though, simply wriggled free and returned to her feet.

    She clearly took points in the first round as her overhand lefts landed flush on Rousey’s ever reddening face. She had Rousey staggering in the second round with some crunching left hooks, before finishing her off with a left-foot kick that landed flush under the champion’s jaw.

    It appeared Rousey was close to unconsciousness as she dropped. Holm followed up with a few strikes before the referee stopped the fight, with Rousey looking considerably the worse for wear.

    “I had so much love and support – I thought how could I not do this,” Holm said in the ring. “There was lots of blood, sweat and tears, but it sure was worth it.

    “I’m trying to take this in, but this is crazy. Everything that we worked on presented itself in the fight.

    “Every kind of grab that she tried to get… I have not spent this much time in the gym before any fight in my life… Everything we worked on happened tonight.”

    UFC president Dana White later confirmed Rousey had been taken to hospital suffering from concussion and a cut lip and he added: “The rematch makes a lot of sense, it’s what people want to see. It changes a lot of things.” 

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