Ronda Rousey: Either Win Rematch Against Holm Or Retire
Ronda Rousey has come out and said what so many have been thinking. Rousey will either beat Holly Holm in a rematch, or she will hang up her mixed martial arts career. Many UFC fans were calling for Rousey to retire before her match with Holly Holm so she would go out with a perfect career. Obviously, that is not Ronda Rousey’s style. Of course, she also didn’t expect to so completely manhandle and defeat her at UFC 193, either.
“I need to come back. I need to beat this chick. Who knows if I’m going to pop my teeth out or break my jaw or rip my lip open. I have to f**king do it. I guess it’s all going to be determined by what happens in the rematch,” Rousey told ESPN in a lengthy interview after her loss. “Everything is going to be determined by that. Either I’ll win and keep going or I won’t and I’ll be done with everything.”
After such an overwhelming defeat Ronda Rousey knows what she has to do. It will be at least six months of recovery and then back to training to prepare for a rematch, but that rematch is coming. With such huge stakes on the line, don’t be surprised if the rematch between Rousey and Holm is one of the most-watched fights in UFC history. As adamant about a rematch as UFC CEO Dana White and Ronda Rousey are, it will also likely be one of the most-highly advertised cards the MMA world has ever seen.
In the few weeks since the Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm showdown, rumors have been flying. Most of them were in regards to whether Rousey would drop her long-term trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan. Rousey was adamant that she would be keeping Tarverdyan around, according to Fox Sports. Tarverdyan has been with Rousey since she started in the UFC and, while her mother doesn’t agree, their track record speaks for itself.
“Of course I’m staying (with Tarverdyan),” Rousey said. “That’s my mom’s opinion, not mine.”
Ronda Rousey has a busy 2016 planned out before adding in a rematch that will determine whether she continues her MMA career. Talk about putting stress on herself. Two movies, recovery, and back to training should keep the superstar plenty busy. Many are saying that Rousey’s focus on her acting career and growing celebrity are part of the reason she lost to Holm, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing her down one bit. Only time will tell if the demanding schedule of a movie star will be the downfall of the once undefeated MMA star.
For now Ronda Rousey will focus on getting to a point where she can eat solid food. The kick to her jaw, which was the final blow to her undefeated career, did some real damage. Being able to eat is obviously going to need to come before getting back into the octagon to train. Taking an impact on that jaw before Rousey is completely healed could have lifelong effects on her quality of life. While everyone is jumping at the thought of Rousey back in the octagon, at least the fighter knows she isn’t ready.
The new year won’t bring about a new Ronda Rousey, but just maybe it will bring back the invincible woman that fans have grown to love. Right now, she is hurting. She is hurting physically and emotionally. For a woman not used to losing, this loss has devastated her. Her mother, sister and coaches have all seen her lose before. They know what she is going through, but this has been a first for her fans. While Rousey pulls herself back up, her fans will have to find some patience. It won’t be long before the outspoken Olympian is ready to be herself again.
[Photo by Frazier Harrison/Getty Images]
