New UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm has a different idea in mind than an immediate rematch against Ronda Rousey as her first title defense. In fact, Holm and her team are actually pushing for it.
“The Preacher’s Daughter” and her camp are already positioning for a different fight, as they would apparently rather Holm’s first title defense be against the woman most people thought deserved the last shot at Rousey’s title more than her, Miesha Tate.
After Rousey revealed in her ESPN The Magazine interview, she won’t even be able to eat an apple for up to three-to-six months, let alone take any impact in training, and Holm doesn’t appear interested in sitting out to wait on the super fight.
Holm’s manager, Lenny Fresquez actually met with UFC officials on Monday to propose the Tate fight for the milestone UFC 200 event at the brand new Las Vegas Arena in Nevada on July 9, 2016.
Subsequently, Fresquez spoke with Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times to explain the team’s decision to push for the Tate fight over the Rousey rematch.
“I’m not sure Ronda will be ready for a July fight,” Fresquez said. “She took a severe beating, and I don’t think it’s in her best interest to take the next fight so fast. They told me she’s been ready and cleared, but ….”
Apparently even if Rousey is somehow ready in time for a fight at UFC 200 on 7/9, Holm’s team would still prefer the Tate fight.
“Holly’s used to staying active,” Fresquez said. “We’re from the old school, and we believe the No. 1 contender is there for a reason. … [Tate] deserves a shot, but it’s not for me to decide.”
Fresquez continued, “Holly’s not so much about the money as [much as thinking] she wants to fight. We’d like to fight Miesha. We understand there are risks, but Holly’s a dominant champion, and she wants to fight the best. Right now, Miesha is the best.”
Fresquez also revealed the fact that Holm could be ready to fight by February, but was told by UFC officials that they won’t have any open dates for her until the 7/9 date or later.
