Holy Holm isn't willing to sit around and wait for Ronda Rousey's return, and it doesn't seem like she will have to. Speaking with UFC Tonight on Fox Sports 1, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the newly minted UFC women's bantamweight champion will take on another opponent before a rematch with Rousey.
WOW. You heard it here first. Dana White: "@HollyHolm WILL fight before she fights @RondaRousey."
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) January 6, 2016
Despite weeks of White's insistence that an immediate Holm vs. Rousey rematch was the company's plan, there have been lingering doubts about Rousey's availability in the coming months. Speaking with ESPN The Magazine's Ramona Shelburne (Warning: NSFW language) in December, Rousey was less than optimistic about a quick return.
"It might be three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact," she said.
While there is little doubt Holm vs. Rousey 2 is among the biggest fights the UFC can make at this time, the unclear timetable has had Holm and her manager calling for a fight in the interim. White has announced no opponent or date, but one must imagine that former Strikeforce champion and current UFC contender Miesha Tate would be the pick for Holm's first title defense. There are numerous vacancies on upcoming UFC cards as well, with UFC 197 and UFC 198 lacking a main event so far.
As for Rousey, while White didn't offer new information about her comeback, he said she will be back before long:
Dana: You'll see @RondaRousey fight again. She’s dedicated the last 3+ years to working hard fighting + promoting…she will fight this year."
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) January 6, 2016
Fans desperate for a glimpse of Rousey won't have to do much waiting, however. NBC announced Tuesday that she will host the January 23 edition of Saturday Night Live.
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