“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey was thought to be an absolutely unstoppable athlete and the queen of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Division. She was also supposed to have another dazzling victory in front of 55,000 fans at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holly Holm had other plans though, utilizing her world-class striking to punch and kick a hole in Rousey’s face. Holm did the unthinkable—knock Rousey out cold in the second round to win the championship in UFC 193.
Rousey vs. Holm 2 Predictions and Betting Preview
Rousey went into obscurity as questions arose of her desire to fight with a blossoming Hollywood career to fall back on. She put all of that nonsense aside though and is now hell bent on finding a date for a rematch and redemption. The betting line at TopBet predicts a close call, with Holm priced at -110 and Rousey at -120. Rousey may get a few extra anger points from us though, as she has way more to lose in this one than Holm – this could be a career ender if she gets dropped again.
Rousey has a chance to reclaim her belt if she can utilize her world-class Judo and amazing submission game. Her move of choice will be her world-renowned armbar. She was dangerously close to getting Holm into it in their first tilt, but was a little too anxious and lost control. A little more patience this time will go a long way to help Rousey snag that arm for the victory.
While Holm has the experience edge striking, Rousey still has that dangerous one-punch knockout power in her repertoire as well. She knocked out Bethe Correia in August 2015 and also owns a 16-second knockout of Alexis Davis in July 2014. Rousey even wobbled Holm for a moment in their earlier matchup, but couldn’t take it from there.
She has the tools to get the job done, but patience will be the key to a Rousey win this time around. Something she’s not used to utilizing as a 12-1 fighter.
Meanwhile, the 10-0 Holm is a master striker. A former world champion in boxing, she is light years ahead of anyone in the women’s bantamweight division when it comes to striking. A southpaw by trade, the champ shocked the world in November 2015, when she repeatedly battered Rousey with blistering left hands. She capitalized on Rousey’s never-ending aggression to land punishing counters all night long before she landed the knockout blow with a left foot to the head.
Holm doesn’t have a decorated grappling background, but she does have an amazing wrestling coach in Israel Martinez. She’s also bull-strong which could help her against Rousey in the clinch. A good game plan from MMA genius Greg Jackson should also help her in this rematch. Holm has everything going for her to defend her title against Rousey.
This one takes a little bit more time, but we’re calling another Holm knockout in the third round to defend her belt.
