UFC 193, perhaps the most historic pay-per-view of all-time, delivered a shocking blow to the MMA sphere. As it turns out, Ronda Rousey is mortal. As it turns out, Ronda Rousey does not have what it takes to compete against men in the UFC’s bantamweight roster – or Tank Abbott, for that matter.
Former boxing world champion Holly Holm sobered scores of fans with a single head-kick. Fans, occupying the internet, the media and even within the UFC hierarchy itself, that were drunk off Rousey Mania. Even veteran referee Herb Dean took a moment to gather his wits as Holm crumpled “Rowdy” in the 2nd round.
Rousey vs. Holm, which sold out the 70,000+ Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, taught an important lesson: no one is invincible. It’s a lesson that seemingly gets lost in the sea of MMA hype. Fans, hypnotized by the presence of stars such as Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Georges St-Pierre, and Brock Lesnar continue to fall for the same mistake, despite the sport’s best efforts to serve humbling reminders when necessary.
Ronda Rousey’s stardom, however, took fanboyism to new heights. Since UFC commentator, podcast host and stand-up comedian Joe Rogan claimed that the former female pound-for-pound #1 could rival her male counterparts, a new breed of internet debate had emerged: The Ronda Rousey vs. Man debate.
“There’s a lot of guys her size she could beat,” said Rogan. “I mean, a lot. If you took the roster of the UFC’s bantamweights, 135 pounds, and you paired them up against Ronda Rousey, she might be able to beat 50 percent of them. That’s not a joke.”
“Not a joke,” Rogan said. Perhaps he’d mistaken his weekly podcast for a stand-up gig. It is a joke, Joe, but no one’s laughing.
Since Rogan’s remarks, discussion has been rife. Rousey says she’d beat Floyd Mayweather in a “no rules” fight; FOX Sports journalist Clay Travis agrees. So does Conor McGregor. So does Dana White. In fact, according to the UFC president, the former Olympian would “ragdoll” boxing’s current #1.
You what, mate?
Last night, Ronda Rousey faced a female boxing protege who made her UFC debut in 2015 and was starched inside of two rounds. Seldom has a champion of Rousey’s caliber looked so inept in a title fight. Brock Lesnar was sent spinning around like Kylie Minogue when he faced Cain Velasquez at UFC 121, but at least “the baddest man on the planet” had his moments. Rousey was bewildered from the opening combination Holm landed, chasing her opponent around the Octagon like a headless chicken, footwork be damned.
Not only did Holm execute her game plan flawlessly, with subtle complexities in footwork and movement, but the combat sports veteran completely out-muscled her opponent. Rousey did manage to drag Holly to the mat and threaten with an armbar at one point, but the stoic 34-year-old sprang back to her feet and continued the onslaught. The Jackson-Wink fighter shrugged off Rousey’s clinch attempts with ease, pushing her aside and blasting with further 1-2 combo’s – Eeesh, eesh.
Holm was technically superior and physically superior. 100% of the men occupying the men’s bantamweight division are technically superior and physically superior. Let’s put an end to this charade once and for all: The invincible aura surrounding Ronda Rousey dissolved last night, and along with it, her chances of ever beating other professionally-trained, male fighters.
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