World renowned boxing trainer, Freddie Roach, has been opining on MMA and its athletes for quite some time, and with the UFC’s Melbourne card featuring a pair of women’s champions in co-headlining fights, he once again stepped into an analyst role on the most recent episode of the MMA Hour. Roach gave his honest opinion, and added not a granule of sugar coating to it when asked how he thought the main event between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm would play out. Here’s what he had to say:
“Holly was a good boxer, she beat some good fighters. Maybe they were a little bit older when she fought them, Mia St. John. She does have some good wins, she has 33 wins and maybe three losses. She has a good record. But, the female boxing never really caught on like Ronda Rousey has. Ronda is just huge right now. The thing is, she knows the ground game so much better than boxing. I like Ronda to win that fight pretty easily. People ask me if she can beat me in a fight, well I am 55 and I know nothing about the ground game, but if she gets me in a lock, I have no idea what to do with it. So yes, she can beat me. Ronda is on top of things. People like her and I used to do mitts with her a long time ago and it was a lot of fun. But she has stepped up and is high up there right now and I wish her the best of luck. She’s not the best boxer in the world, but she is good. She is very competitive and she tries really hard. I mean, it’s not probably the best thing she does, I think she is better at the ground game. But again, she is more experienced there. But her boxing is good. The girl she is fighting is a good boxer, also. While they stand up it will be a good fight, but once it goes to the ground, I think Ronda will destroy her.”
Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm will be the featured main event on the UFC 193 card. The event takes place in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia this Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Ethiad Stadium.
*Transcription courtesy of MMA Mania*
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