Ronda Rousey promises UFC return following Holly Holm knockout loss but will take a break first
Rousey suffered the first UFC knockout of her career on Sunday as Holly Holm won the bantamweight title in Melbourne
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Your support makes all the difference.Ronda Rousey has promised to return to the Octagon after suffering the first defeat of her Ultimate Fighting Championship career in a devastating finish by Holly Holm, but not before she takes a break from the sport.
Undefeated Rousey went into the bout a heavy favourite with the bookmakers’ after winning all 12 of her previous fights. However, Holm stunned the world with a brutal kick that knocked out Rousey after displaying the perfect game plan to out-box the 28-year-old American.
Rousey was taken to hospital after the fight where she was seen by a plastic surgeon regarding the horrific facial injuries she suffered, but after staying overnight it was confirmed that she had not suffered a concussion or any other serious injuries other than a nasty gash to her lip.
Speaking on Monday after losing her bantamweight title during the UFC 193 clash in Melbourne, Rousey said on Instagram: “I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support. I appreciate the concerns about my health, but I'm fine. As I had mentioned before, I'm going to take a little bit of time, but I'll be back.”
Holm said afterwards that her next fight could well be a rematch with Rousey, although given the way the former boxer outclassed the ex-Olympic bronze medallist it would be a surprise to see the pair in the Octagon again anytime soon.
“I think a rematch makes sense for sure,” said Holm. “I’ve been on a losing side of a fight and I wanted the rematch; I wanted to avenge my loss.
“With a champion like Ronda who has gone out of her way, above and beyond to do great things, absolutely she deserves a rematch.”
Rousey was expected to fight on the UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on 9 July next year, but UFC president Dana White admitted that talking about her future was very hard to do after such a comprehensive loss.
"The last thing a fighter wants to do is talk about a fight when they lose,” White told TMZ. “There was not a lot of talking.”
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