White: Holm, Cyborg a couple fights off
Dana White on Holly Holm: “A lot of people have to understand it’s her first fight in the UFC … “She needs a couple more fights.”
“When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer.”
Ronda Rousey beat Cat Zingano like Bambi vs. Godzilla, crowd gasped “HOLY F@$%ing $#!^” in unison, and before too long, wondered who’s next.
The first name was thrown up was a rematch with Cat Zingano.
“I want to do it again,” said Zingano to Joe Rogan from inside the Octagon, adding “just f@$%.”
What is immediately next for Rousey is a movie role. Although she would not name the film or the schedule, she is signed to the “Athena Project.”
And then he will start a camp, but for who?
The co-main was the UFC debut of Holly Holm, vs. Raquel Pennington. Had Holm delivered a thrilling, destructive performance, the former 18-time world boxing champion and undefeated MMA fighter would have likely earned an immediate title shot. But Holm got a Split Decision.
UFC president Dana White, who has seen the UFC debut jitters unbalance an endless stream of talent, was positive in his assessment.
“A lot of people have to understand it’s her first fight in the UFC,” said White at the post-fight press conference. “She went in there tonight, performed and slid right into the co-main event spot and did a great job.”
But, he added, there will be no immediate title shot.
“She needs a couple more fights,” said White.
Holm had said before the fight that she wanted more experience before fighting Rousey, and she will get her wish.
“I’m never completely satisfied with any fight that I’ve had,” said Holm post fight. “I really didn’t sit down on my punches tonight. I know I’m capable of more. Ronda is really impressive and I’d like to get my feet wet.”
White also ruled out Cris Cyborg being next.
The thing with Cyborg is making that weight, said White. I just don’t know if she can make the weight. If she could make the weight a couple times, we’d see what we could do.
And neither White nor Rousey want to catchweight anything.
Why would the champ go there? asked White. It just doesn’t make sense. She’s the 135-pound champion here. She’s dominant. The champ doesn’t chase other people. If you want to fight the champ, you come to the champ.
With Holm and Cyborg a couple of fights away, the obvious next fight is either Bethe Correia or Jessica Eye. With Rousey taking time off to act in a film, the obvious next step is for Correia and Eye to have a #1 contender bout.