Andrew Ravens
Holly Holm is under the same promotional banner as Ronda Rousey — and the conversation about a rematch is louder than it has been in years.
Holm signed a multi-fight contract with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions earlier this year, per ESPN, returning to boxing as part of the company’s newly launched women’s division, which operates under a multi-year deal with ESPN. Her first bout under the banner came on the undercard of Paul’s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., where she defeated Yolanda Vega.
The Rousey rematch talk picked up when MVP staged its first MMA card this month, where Rousey submitted Gina Carano in 17 seconds before announcing she was walking away from competition again. With Holm already signed to MVP as a boxing client and having been floated as a potential post-fight opponent before the Carano bout, the prospect of the two sharing a card — or a ring — drew renewed attention.
Holm addressed the speculation directly in an interview with MMA Fighting, saying the rematch offer has been on the table since the moment their first fight ended in 2015.
Holly Holm does not expect a Ronda Rousey rematch
“I highly doubt she’ll ever want a rematch,” Holm said. “I have always said since the minute the last fight was over, I’ll always rematch her. That’s always been available.”
Holm knocked out Rousey in 2015 in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, ending Rousey’s run as the dominant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Rousey suffered a second knockout loss shortly after, before stepping away from the sport for a decade.
Holm acknowledged that the magnitude of her 2015 victory is inseparable from how dominant Rousey was at the time. “The whole reason why me beating her was such a big deal is because she was so dominant,” Holm said. “I have all the respect for her.”
For now, Holm’s focus is on boxing. She is set to headline an MVPW event in El Paso, Texas, in a lightweight title rematch against Stephanie Han. Their first fight ended via technical decision after a clash of heads opened a cut on Han. Holm requested the rematch immediately.
