On Saturday night, 56,000 Australian fans witnessed the (literal) collapse of superstar Ronda Rousey when Holly Holm landed a thunderous head kick that separated the champ from her senses in the second round of the main event.
It was a surreal fight to experience. For the first time in her career, Rousey appeared lost and confused as she charged at Holm. She was outclassed in the striking department and was unable to take the fight to the ground on command. That signaled the beginning of the end for the former champion.
Rousey’s coach, Edmond Tarverdyan later explained that Rousey simply followed the gameplan set ahead of the fight.
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“The game plan was pressing,” Tarverdyan told ESPN. “We knew Holly Holm was going to keep the distance. So we had to feint and get inside and pressure the right way so we can get on the side of the cage. And we’ve talked about that and Holly Holm did a good job with moving today and stayed calm.”
Despite Rousey’s busted lip and nose at the end of the opening round, and the head kick heard around the world moments later in the second round, Edmond is not convinced that Holm was the better striker in the fight.
“I wouldn’t say in the striking game she was getting the best of Ronda, you know, but I have to watch it again. But we know this was not a striking match; we know that Ronda is smart enough to take the fight where she is best at and today she did. Holly stopped an attempt on an armbar and stopped some of the takedowns. She did a good job.”
Ultimately, Edmond revealed that Rousey will take some time off before she contemplates the next step in her career.
“[Ronda] apologized to me — and I told her that you are still the best and we’ll talk about what the plans are after she rests,” Tarverdyan said. “Certainly the girl needs rest. It’s not easy to deal with everything she has been dealing with. She needs time to rest, and after she rests we’ll figure out what is best for her career.”
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