Defeating the Undefeated: Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm

Ronda Rousey, mixed martial artist, judoka and first woman to win Bronze in Judo at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, suffered her first ever defeat at the hands – or more accurately, foot – of boxer, Holly Holm on November the 14^th.

Rousey, standing at 5’7” and weighing in at 135lbs, was previously undefeated, her wins to losses being 12-0. Nine of those twelve wins were won through submission after Rousey employed her infamous armbar and the other three were won through simple K.O. Rousey is undoubtedly one the world’s greatest fighters – having previously won a fight in a measly 14 seconds – but is also easily one of the world’s greatest athletes. Recognised worldwide for her fighting prowess, Rousey is arguably still the greatest female fighter in the world despite the results of her fight with Holly Holm.

Holm stands only an inch taller than Rousey, 5’8” and weighs in at the same 135lbs. Her fighting history gave her the same ‘undefeated’ status as Rousey, though her fight times were considerably longer. With Rousey rarely continuing past the first round, Holm commonly fights well into the third round onward.

Fighting it out for the title of Bantamweight Champion of the world, Holy Holm, previously ranked 7^th in the Bantamweight category, shot straight to the top after she dominated the first round. Evident from the first round, Holm seems to favour snappy oblique kicks and jabs to the face. With complete control of the fight throughout, Holm seemed to move with a speed that Rousey lacked, making Rousey’s lunges seem almost bullish. Leading with her face to try and get her opponent in a clinch, Rousey suffered numerous hits to the face and when she did finally manage to take the fight to the ground, Holm defended excellently and returned to her feet. When the fight reached the second round, Rousey was at a severe disadvantage – her punches becoming sloppy, her guard dropping and her movements sloppy. It was in this second round that the unthinkable happened: Holm sent a kick as Rousey stumbled, hitting her right in the side of the neck and Rousey, the previously undefeated, went down.

Forever a Rousey fan, I was absolutely devastated as I watched her lose but even I can’t deny that Holm was a truly magnificent fighter. Holm might have stolen the Bantamweight Champion title from Rousey for now, but there is certain to be a rematch in their future. Will the ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey let her title be taken from her for good? Not a chance. Holly Holm had better watch out. Like millions of other UFC fans across the globe, it is clear to me that Rousey is forever going to be the top female UFC fighter and I am looking forward the when she retakes her Bantamweight Champion title in the inevitable Rousey VS Holm Part Two.

Abbie