In a recent interview, the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Holly Holm, revealed that she understands where the criticism on her opponent, Ronda Rousey, is coming from, but the former MMA bantamweight champ doesn’t deserve the backlashes she’s getting right now.
“I don’t think that anybody deserves that. I do think that she put herself in that position. She’s even said herself that if people don’t like her style, then she doesn’t care. That’s who she is and she doesn’t claim to be anybody else. I don’t have any animosity towards her. A lot of people feel like maybe I should, but I just don’t waste energy with stuff like that,” Holm said.
Even though there were a bit of tension coming up to fight, with Rousey calling Holm “fake bitch” and not touching gloves during the fight itself, Holm said she didn’t have any resentment and thinks that fans are somehow overacting on the issue already.
“I don’t think that some of the negativity that she’s received — some of it is not necessary. People get pretty brutal about stuff. But I think she’s tough enough. I think she can handle it. I don’t think she’s ever felt something like this before. I think she is going through a really rough time. I’d be dumb if I said anything different,” Holm said.
Holm further admitted that she knows what Rousey is feeling because she been in the same situation before. The new champ wouldn’t give back the win she rightfully deserved, but she is not rejoicing on the former champ’s defeat either.
“Not bad enough that I would change the decision. I always sympathize with my opponents no matter what. If you win, they’re going home with a bad day. That doesn’t mean I want to give them the victory. You feel sadness when you lose. I don’t want anybody to really feel sadness,” Holm said.
Holm, who is now holding a perfect record of 10-0, revealed that she is now focusing on what’s ahead of her instead of dwelling on all the controversies leading to the fight.
“She has to be kind of bitter right now. That’s OK. I really just want to do my thing and represent myself well. I’ll give her the respect along the way. However she handles it is her own deal. I don’t want to lose sleep over it,” she said.
Defeating the longtime MMA bantamweight champ would mean, of course, an instant access to the spotlight. Holly has been attending numerous interviews and events which made her an instant star, something that has never happened during her career in pro boxing. She got to spend time with Floyd Mayweather, and ride in the car with Jamie Foxx. She even had the chance to meet one of her heroes, John Elway. With all these great opportunities, Holm still acknowledged the fact that she wouldn’t get the attention if not for Rousey.
“I didn’t think it would be this much, this fast. It was like immediate. I guess I didn’t really think about it. It was a big victory and of course that’s because Ronda has been so dominant. I give her credit, because there’s no way this win could be that big if she wouldn’t have been that dominant. It kind of goes hand and hand,” Holm said.
Towards the end of the interview, Holm revealed that she is motivated more than ever to prove that the MMA belt is rightfully hers, which would mean that the next time she faces Rousey in the cage, she’ll get to see a much stronger and more prepared fighter.
“I will never underestimate her. She’s done well and had a lot of victories. So if she comes back, I will expect the very best Ronda. I’ve done it before, so I’d be dumb to think somebody else couldn’t,” Holm added.