Holly Holm defied the long odds, bragging a fierce second round knockout of Ronda Rousey as she landed a vicious head-kick to the neck, taking Rousey's title at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia.
Holm was predicted as the most resilient challenger to Rousey's bantamweight title ever since she signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was pursued for the particular purpose of providing Rousey with a marketable and possible contender. However, mostly everyone did not expect it to come early.
As soon as the fight started, Holm showed poise leaving everyone stunned as she used a picture-perfect strategy to pull apart Rousey in less than six minutes. With a precise counter strike, she knows how to expertly kick hard and she still probably did not expect to need less than two rounds to become the new undisputed 135-pound women's champion.
"I have to say that everything that we worked on presented itself in the fight. Every kind of grab that she tried to get and clinch on the cage. I have not spent this much time in the gym before any fight in my life," Holm stated after the remarkable victory. On the other hand, Rousey was not available for a comment. The former champion was transferred to a nearby hospital immediately after leaving the Octagon. UFC president, Dana White said that Rousey had a split lip but did not suffer any serious injuries.
It was a spectacular finish to a fight that looked like no other in the career of Rousey. Working on a series of oblique kicks and a stiff jab, Holm punished Rousey's lead leg. But her best weapon was her straight punch. She continuously hit Rousey and as the former champion's mouth and nose started to bleed, it was a sign that this match was different than the others she had before.
With a headlock, Rousey eventually scored a takedown but Holm remained patient and even got away of an armbar attempt from the submission expert. In fact, later in the round, she ended up taking Rousey down but immediately backed out of her guard to get the fight back to the feet. From there on, Holm kept her equilibrium as she hit the champ a few more times and as she went to the corner, she looked more confident after getting into second round which only happened the second time in Rousey's career.
On the setting pace during the second round, Holm wasted no time as she shocked Rousey right away during a scramble. When Rousey started to move up and off the mat and just as she raised her hands and turned, Holm completely shot her with a left high kick that sent Rousey smashing back to the mat. Holm, then followed with a couple of more strikes on the ground. Referee Herb Dean later charged in to stop the fight before Rousey could take any more damage.
This records the first loss in Rousey's mixed martial arts career. She was clearly shocked not only from the knockout but also from watching Holm put together the perfect performance of any opponent she's ever encountered. It was indeed a dominating and incredible UFC match.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
