She’s game! Holly Holm is ready to defend her title against Ronda Rousey. The UFC boxer — who dominated Rousey last week — opened up about a possible rematch during an interview with Extra on Thursday, Nov. 19.
“I’ll train just as hard, I’ll train twice as hard for the rematch, because anyone who has been as successful as Ronda has obviously been a champion for a reason,” Holm, 34, told Extra co-host Mario Lopez. “She’s a very dominant athlete, a very hard-working athlete, so I know she’ll be coming back with a vengeance and I’ll have to be ready.”
The New Mexico native has had only positive things to say about Rousey, 28, since beating her at the Women’s Bantamweight Championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 14. (Holm ended Rousey’s undefeated streak when she knocked her out in the second round.) She even defended Rousey against critics, which included Lady Gaga and 50 Cent, in post-victory interviews.
“I think people can be pretty brutal,” the defending champ recently told TMZ. “When you’re in the spot she’s in, there are people that are just going to jump ship and I don’t ever wish for that. I have a lot of respect for her.”
Rousey, meanwhile, is already planning her return to the ring. The Entourage actress — who initially called out Holm via social media before their fight — wants another chance to prove herself.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support,” Rousey wrote via Instagram on Nov. 15. “I appreciate the concerns about my health, but I’m fine. As I had mentioned before, I’m going to take a little bit of time, but I’ll be back.”
