Holly Holm: Ronda Rousey will ‘come back swinging’ in potential rematch

Newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm says she would grant Ronda Rousey a rematch.

Holly Holm, who claimed the UFC bantamweight title from Ronda Rousey in an upset victory on Saturday, is open to a rematch with the former champion, she told ESPN Radio’s Bomani Jones on Wednesday.

“If she wants the rematch and they put it together, you’ve always got to give the rematch,” Holm said. “That’s just how it goes. I’ve been on the other end of it before. I’ve been knocked out and I got to be able to get a rematch and avenge my loss. I know I was glad to have that opportunity and if you’re a real champion, you’re going to do that, you’re going to give them the rematch.

“Of course, I’m going to train even harder and better for the next fight because I know she’ll be coming back swinging.”

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Holm knocked Rousey out in the second round of their UFC 193 matchup to hand Rousey her first UFC loss. Rousey’s record was previously 12–0. Holm improved her record to 10–0 with the win.

After the fight, Rousey was given a 60-day medical suspension, which is used to protect injured fighters from rushing back to the octagon. The suspension could reportedly extend to 180 days, which would prevent a rematch from being scheduled any time soon.

- Erin Flynn