Holly Holm feels that the MMA title match against the Women’s Bantamweight Champion is not a rush.
Holm (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was not supposed to fight Rhonda Rousey (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) next, but the battle was set due to the UFC President Dana White thinks that this is “the right fight to make”.
After a shuffle of the upcoming events, Holm will face the champion at UFC 193 in Melbourne on November 14.
Having her debut earlier, Holm was being discussed as a potential opponent of Ronda Rousey.
Initially, Miesha Tate was the next challenger for Rousey, but it was granted to Holm instead. Most of the spectators were surprised, even Holm was caught off-guard, but never would she consider letting this opportunity pass by.
“First off, there was no hesitation because I feel like that’s not a mental strength. You have to be mentally strong to get in there. When they called, it was like, ‘This is what’s next. Awesome.’ If I would have felt like I should have said no, then when the next fight comes it would be, ‘Was I doubting myself before? Am I doubting myself now?’ That’s just a not mentality I have in me, and I don’t choose to feel that way at all.”
Holm is sure that she will face the MMA bantamweight champion eventually, but she did not expect it to happen this soon.
“Did it come sooner than we would think? That’s not a lie to say yeah, it came soon, but I’m really excited for it. There’s so many girls in the division, but guess what: Even before I signed with the UFC it was like, ‘Hey, when are you going to fight Ronda Rousey?’ Now we’ve got it scheduled and can really focus on it.
“There’s been all these questions about it, but I’ve had all these other fighters in front of me. But I didn’t want to focus on anything but the fight that’s right in front of me. Now I can really focus and dive into this training camp, and I’m really excited for it.”
The challenger may seem to be calm, soft-spoken and humble outside the ring, but as the battle begins, she is a tenacious competitor, Holm may actually have an advantage, if she fights wisely.
According to Holm, Rousey may have built her aura of invincibility. Holm is also aware that Rousey was able to give such impression due to the champ’s quick and decisive MMA victories.
“Nobody would want to watch a fight if they knew what was going to happen; the unknown is there, and anything can happen. I’m very capable. I’m walking with every bit of confidence into this fight. (I’m) confidence without being cocky or overconfident.
“I’m going up against the best fighter. They aren’t calling her the most dominant female fighter. They’re calling her the most dominant female athlete, and that’s a lot to carry. Do I have to do everything right? Absolutely. But it’s possible.”