UFC champion Holly Holm to fight before Ronda Rousey rematch

UFC president Dana White says women's bantamweight champ Holly Holm will fight before a rematch with Ronda Rousey

UFC president Dana White says women's bantamweight champ Holly Holm will fight before a rematch with Ronda Rousey, he told FOX Sports 1. 

“Holly Holm will fight before she fights Ronda,” White said.

Holm is 10–0 in her MMA career after knocking out Rousey at UFC 193 in November. Holm signed a multi-fight contract extension with the company earlier in the week. 

July 9 was originally selected as the projected date of her second meeting with Rousey. 

“Eight months is a long time between fights, and I don’t want to wait that long,” Holm told ESPN. “But if that’s what it is, I’ll do it and I’ll be ready.”​

• Rousey to host Saturday Night Live

The undefeated Holm could face Miesha Tate in her next bout. Tate is has a 17-5 MMA record and a 4-2 UFC​ standing. 

As for Rousey, White said he is optimistic for her return to the octagon in 2016, suggesting Holm and Rousey could fight by year’s end.

“You will see Ronda Rousey fight again,” White told FOX. “Ronda has dedicated the last three-plus years to working hard here. Not just fighting, but promoting and taking the sport and the UFC to a whole other level. Ronda has some well-deserved time off but she will fight this year.”

- Christopher Chavez