Before Holly Holm shocked the world by defeating Ronda Rousey, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion did warn Holm that being champion entails a great degree of pressure.
Apparently, Rousey was speaking out of experience, although it does go up for debate on whether the deposed champion was mocking or really sincere in giving Holm some sound advice.
Regardless, it seemed that Rousey gave the impression that she is there because she has survived the rigors of fame and being UFC champion. And now that she has been dislodged from the top, will Holm succumb to the pressure?
Well, if her recent appearances are any indication, the claims of Rousey when it comes to the pressure tied up with being UFC champion are certainly not showing. In fact, it looks like Holm has adapted to fame well. So what was Rousey talking about?
It could be one of two ways. One is that Rousey was adding some mental warfare toward Holm leading to their fight at UFC 193. If not that, Rousey may be speaking from experience.
Of course, it would be unfair to compare Holm's rein right now with that of Rousey. Rousey was up there for quite a long time and everyone knows that the UFC was not the only faction she was tied up with.
She had endorsement deals and Hollywood flicks that ate up her time so one can imagine the stress that she had to endure.
For now and being a new champion, Holm could get there. Rousey could have a point, although another area of debate is that Holm is older and someone who has proven that she can manage her career and personal life properly.
The case could be different in the coming months as Holm ventures out to the appearances tied up with her being champion. But that does come with the territory.
Rousey gets the chance to reclaim her title in 2016, most likely at UFC 200 in July. Could the pressure get to Holm so that Rowdy can get back her lost fame and title?
