Ronda Rousey knocked out in big upset
In one of the biggest upsets in Mixed Martial Arts — in sports generally — New Mexico native Holly Holm defeated MMA champion and star Ronda Rousey with a second round kick to the head that knocked Rousy out.
UFC 193 took place in Melbourne, Australia to a crowd of 56,214 at Etihad Stadium, a soccer stadium. The bantamweight fight broke all records for MMA attendance, as this was a much-anticipated match.
Rousey was the aggressor from the opening bell, and Holm used that aggressive attitude against Rousey. A boxing and kickboxing champion, Holm used her speed and footwork to keep away from Rousey, an Olympic judoka, known for her takedowns and arm bar hold that usually ends fights with Rousey knocking out her opponents.
Holm remained calm and confident, punching Rousy almost at will throughout the short bout. By the end of the first round Rousey was looking tired, sloppy and unprepared for the challenger.
Then, 59 seconds into the second round, the kickboxing champion delivered the knockout kick to Rousy’s head, sending the champion to the mat. Holm immediately jumped on Rousey and delivered several blows before the referee, Herb Dean, stopped the fight, stunning the audience and Rousey’s corner.
The two fighters scuffled at the weigh-in after Holm stuck her fist in Rousey’s face. She called Holm “fake” and Holm said she was in Melbourne to “shock the world.” That she did.
Few, if any, bookmakers picked Holm to win this fight with many saying the challenger would not last two rounds with Rousey. Well, the fight didn’t go a full two rounds, but the result was not what the world expected.
After the fight Holm called Rousey, “the most dominant athlete,” and that she prepared for the fight with that thought constantly in her mind.
A rematch is sure to come and like this fight will break records. UFC Promoter Dana White and Holly Holm both said a rematch “makes sense” and Holm added, “With a champion like Ronda, who has gone out of her way, above and beyond, to do great things, absolutely she deserves a rematch.”
Rousey wasn’t present at the post-fight press conference, as she had been transported to the hospital. She had appeared arrogant and was openly disrespectful towards her opponent, which did not go unnoticed by MMA fans who took to Twitter and vented their thoughts about Rousey and the result of the fight.
Top photo: Holly Holm delivers the kick that ended the fight with Ronda Rousey.
All photos via YouTube.
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