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Ronda Rousey has thanked her army of fans for their love and support after the brutal bashing she copped from UFC opponent Holly Holm, but then declared: “I’ll be back.”
The ex-UFC bantamweight world champion was hospitalised after suffering an emphatic second-round defeat to Holm in Melbourne on Sunday.
But obviously in better spirits on Monday, she posted on Instagram.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support. I appreciate the concerns about my health, but I’m fine. As I had mentioned before, I’m going to take a little bit of time, but I’ll be back.”
Rousey’s trainer Mick Dolce, who was part of her camp in the Etihad Stadium encounter, backed his charge to return to her former status as world champion.
“She will be back, absolutely, she is an amazing athlete,” he said on Monday.
“Ronda has lost before, she lost at the Olympic games and I think that was a great test for her and look at how she came back, she came back a multi-time world champion.
“So I will be expecting the same type of rebound after this.”
Rousey claimed a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics before fighting her way to the top of the top, and Dolce said she would draw on that experience ahead of a probable re-match against Holm.
“We go back to the gym, we go back to the basics, we go back to what made her a champion in the first place which is just hard work, sacrifice, dedication and focus on being the best in the world,” he said.
“Last night was unfortunate but it doesn’t change the overall goal which is being the best athlete on the planet.”
Rousey was hospitalised after the fight in accordance with UFC rules.
Dolce, who put NRL club Manly-Warringah through a strength and training session at their Narrabeen base on Monday, confirmed the 28-year-old was fine.
“It was just precautionary and that is what we love about the UFC, the UFC does a great job taking care of the athletes,” Dolce said.
“So it was a just a precautionary test which ruled out any concussion any damage.
“We knew going in that Holly would be a tough test and she certainly was.
“Holly is a great champion and you can’t take that away from her.”
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