Ronda Rousey spoke for the first time since losing at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 193, obviously sore and hurting no thanks to a kick that hit her smack on the face.
Rousey admits that she has a hard time eating and that some of her teeth seem to be mobile after that kick. She does, however, vow that she will be back and redeem herself in an expected rematch that is likely to happen at UFC 200 in July 2016.
Summing it all up, Rousey says she may be down but definitely not out. She made the comments via an exclusive piece from ESPN The Magazine recently.
Rousey has slid away from the limelight since that loss, retreating and isolating herself as she tries to regroup. While she already had plans of taking some time off the UFC scene, the loss was something she hadn't counted on.
It remains to be seen if Rousey will be up and ready by the time UFC 200 comes around. Holm's manager, Lenny Fresquez, has some reservations and even pitched the idea (via the LA Times) of fighting Miesha Tate first instead of Rousey.
Tate, of course, holds the distinction of being the only fighter ever to last more than a round against Rousey and is considered a top contender.
While the intention is good, UFC President Dana White made it clear via ESPN that Holm's next opponent will be Rousey and no one else.
White didn't get into specifics but the message is clear — he is preserving Holm for Rousey before thinking of other opponents.
Rousey also mentioned in the ESPN exclusive that should she lose again to Holm, it may be time for her to quit. Hence, UFC 200 promises to be something interesting and hopefully the dethroned UFC Women's champion will be up and about by then.
