Holly Holm has claimed a stunning upset win over Ronda Rousey and taken home the UFC bantamweight championship, knocking Rousey out in the second round.
Holm did what none of Rousey’s recent opponents have done and survived the first round, landing a few blows on Rousey before a kick to the head in the second saw her claim victory.
Holly Holm def. Ronda Rousey
KO, Round 2, 0:59
Ronda Rousey and Joanna Jędrzejczyk will defend their respective titles in one of the most anticipated events of the year at UFC 193. Join The Roar from 2:00pm (AEDT) for live commentary.
Ronda Rousey is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in not only sport, but popular culture across the world. The UFC believes in her brand so strongly that they have entrusted a 70,000 seat Eithad stadium with her drawing power.
Rousey is the most dominant figure in combat sport, not having a true challenge since her 3 round fight – her only fight to go past the first round – against Meisha Tate in 2013.
Since then she has destroyed four challengers in a combined 2 minutes, 10 seconds. Her record, performance and mindset speaks for itself.
Opposing her is #7 ranked bantamweight and former boxing champion Holly Holm, who brings an undefeated record into the Etihad octagon.
With an impressive highlight reel, Holm was expected to set the division alight when she entered the ranks earlier in the year. Fortunately, despite her so far lacklustre performances, Rousey has cleaned out the division and intriguing match ups are difficult to sell.
Holm is a terrific athlete with an impressive combat record but is she capable of a historic upset?
I love an underdog, but unfortunately the most intriguing factor of this fight is whether it will last longer than 30 seconds – there is a market for that.
Prediction: Rousey by submission, Round 1.
The story is much the same in the co-main event, an unbelievably dominant fighter who has looked incredible so far.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk may have had only one title defence, but her dispatching of Carla Esperaza to snatch the title wasn’t even close, as she brutally picked the champion apart in a sometimes uncomfortably-lopsided display.
A well-rounded figher, Jędrzejczyk’s undeniable strength is her sublime striking, having won a slew of kickboxing/muay thai titles before converting to MMA.
Her opponent Valérie Létourneau is an experienced veteran, debuting back in 2007 and sitting at #9 on the Strawweight rankings. She has successfully put three consecutive decisions wins together to go to 3-0 in the UFC and earn a shot at the crown.
Honestly, I have heard and seen little from Létourneau and am trying to scratch around for a reason it won’t be an easy win for the champion, I can’t find one.
Undoubtedly though, this takes the belt for the most difficult to type and pronounce UFC fight of all time.
Prediction: Jędrzejczyk by TKO, Round 1.
Rest of Card Predictions (picks in bold)
UFC 193 Main Card
185 lbs.: Uriah Hall vs. Robert Whittaker
265 lbs.: Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve
UFC 193 Prelims
155 lbs.: Akbarh Arreola vs. Jake Matthews
170 lbs.: Kyle Noke vs. Peter Sobotta
205 lbs.: Anthony Perosh vs. Gian Villante
125 lbs.: Danny Martinez vs. Richie Vaculik
UFC 193 Early Prelims
170 lbs.: Steven Kennedy vs. Richard Walsh
185 lbs.: Daniel Kelly vs. Steve Montgomery
170 lbs.: James Moontasri vs. Anton Zafir
125 lbs.: Ryan Benoit vs. Ben Nguyen
Alan Gray
Guest
Only watched highlights but it seems Rousey got caught up in a slugfest where advantage would go to the boxer Holm. Glad she won felt Rousey was up herself in the weigh-in where she made a b-line for Holm then carried on like a pork chop how she would KO out because she was disrespected with the fist in the face and it sounds like "pride comes before a fall". Congratulations Holm.
In Brief
Guest
Hope the headache fades with no long term brain damage.
Me Too
Guest
Well done Holly. Outboxed her, outfoxed her. Those ridiculous claims of Rousey v Mayweather have had their definitive answer. Fighting always has a way of chopping out the legs on those champions that end up believing their own hype. The nice girl wins!
Br5812
Guest
But she got beat. Talking smack got you face kicked in
Bigstu
Guest
Thanks for the updates. Rousey losing to Holm has made my day, maybe her ego will deflate slightly down from its current size of a small galaxy.
Riordan Lee
Editor
HIGHLIGHTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE!!
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Thanks everyone who joined me! Hope you enjoyed the fight. What a crazy cap off to a bunch of awesome and entertaining fight. A memorable event.
Matthew Tomczyk
Roar Pro
The brawler was beaten by the fighter. Ronda was chasing shadows in that fight.
Hao
Guest
I predicted it, You beauty
James Cairns
Roar Guru
OFFICIAL DECISION. ANDDDDDDDD NEWWWWWWW. UFC WOMENS BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION. 'THE PREACHERS DAUGHTER' HOLLLYYYYY HOLMMMMM. Unbelievable.
Todo Pertin
Guest
Woohoo!!!
James Cairns
Roar Guru
I am sitting in disbelief, that was incredible. What a finish. What a way to crown a new champion. What a win. Holly Holm has just sent shock waves around the world. INCREDIBLE.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
ROUND 2 The second round starts well again for Holm, what a brilliant display. Huge moment as she ducks under Rouseys punch and sends her stumbling past. WOW, HUGE HEAD KICK KO FROM HOLM. She knocks her completely out. STUNNING. She had her hurt, and then finished with a brilliant kick. Holly Holm def. Ronda Rousey via head kick knockout Round 2.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
ROUND 1 No touch of the gloves from Rousey, no surprise there. They start quite active, Holm lands a nice left straight from her southpaw position. It’s gone for ages now! (By Rousey standards). They engage in the clinch, exactly where Rousey wants it. But she can’t finish the takedown!! Much more even than most expected. Holm steps in beautifully with an elbow. Rousey gets Holm down but she escapes! Wow massive moment for the challenger. Beautiful movement from Holm, very sleek footwork. Great straight left again from the challenger. Another MASSIVE left straight, and again! Wow, Holm is lighting the champion up in the first round. Holm takes down Ronda, then gets right back up, doesn’t want to play around there. End of the first round and wow. MY SCORE: 10-9 Holly Holm
Todo Pertin
Guest
Or silver
G
Guest
Bahahahaha GOLD.
PA
Guest
Go Rousey.... Show her some respect
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Rousey walking out now, her glare would take down an army of three thousand steroid boosted silverback gorillas.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Can't imagine how many eyes are on this fight across the world right now, Rousey is easily the biggest star in the UFC and one of the biggest in sport. But no title fight is an easy fight, especially against high quality opposition.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
The colossal main event is next! The ultra polarising Ronda Rousey- watched, feared and admired across the world will face multiple time boxing champion Holly Holm in a potential 5 round Bantamweight clash.