Ronda Rousey Holly Holm, Former world boxing champion Holly Holm will challenge Ronda Rousey for the UFC's bantamweight title on Jan. 2 and Las Vegas -- and UFC commentator Joe Rogan isn't a fan of it.
Speaking on his podcast last weekend, Rogan said he would have preferred to see Amanda Nunes (11-4) face Rousey next. Rousey (12-0) has opened a more-than 14-to-1 betting favorite against Holm (9-0).
"I don't agree with that fight -- the Holly Holm fight," Rogan said. "I just don't think that's smart. I would have gone with Amanda Nunes before Holly Holm. Amanda Nunes looked like a badass. She knocked out Sara McMann (earlier this month).
"That's a more dangerous fighter -- a more marketable fighter."
Holm is 2-0 in the UFC, with both fights going the distance. ESPN.com ranks Holm the No. 9 bantamweight in the world. Nunes is ranked No. 4.
Rogan went on to describe the "lack of talent" available for Rousey to fight. A US bronze medalist in judo at the 2008 Olympics, Rousey has recorded six consecutive title defenses and finished her last three opponents in less than one minute.
Comparisons between Rousey and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson are exhaustively made every time she fights -- but Rogan says one difference is the quality of competition each fought. In his opinion, Rousey is benefitting slightly from a very real lack of challengers.
"The real problem with (the boxers who lost to Tyson) is that they were fighting Tyson," Rogan said. "The problem with Ronda is that Ronda is like Mike Tyson. She's the elite of the elite. Those girls (she's beating) are good -- they're good, not great.
"I think Amanda Nunes has real potential. (Strawweight) Claudia Gadelha is world class. (Strawweight) Joanna Jedrzejczyk is world class. (Featherweight Cris 'Cyborg' Justino) -- steroids or no steroids, you take away all that controversy -- is ferocious, terrifying, world class. That's four."
A potential fight between Rousey and Justino (14-1) would do massive business for the UFC. The promotion has demanded Justino prove she can make the 135-pound weight limit first, however. Justino fights at 145 pounds.
Speaking on his podcast last weekend, Rogan said he would have preferred to see Amanda Nunes (11-4) face Rousey next. Rousey (12-0) has opened a more-than 14-to-1 betting favorite against Holm (9-0).
"I don't agree with that fight -- the Holly Holm fight," Rogan said. "I just don't think that's smart. I would have gone with Amanda Nunes before Holly Holm. Amanda Nunes looked like a badass. She knocked out Sara McMann (earlier this month).
"That's a more dangerous fighter -- a more marketable fighter."
Holm is 2-0 in the UFC, with both fights going the distance. ESPN.com ranks Holm the No. 9 bantamweight in the world. Nunes is ranked No. 4.
Rogan went on to describe the "lack of talent" available for Rousey to fight. A US bronze medalist in judo at the 2008 Olympics, Rousey has recorded six consecutive title defenses and finished her last three opponents in less than one minute.
Comparisons between Rousey and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson are exhaustively made every time she fights -- but Rogan says one difference is the quality of competition each fought. In his opinion, Rousey is benefitting slightly from a very real lack of challengers.
"The real problem with (the boxers who lost to Tyson) is that they were fighting Tyson," Rogan said. "The problem with Ronda is that Ronda is like Mike Tyson. She's the elite of the elite. Those girls (she's beating) are good -- they're good, not great.
"I think Amanda Nunes has real potential. (Strawweight) Claudia Gadelha is world class. (Strawweight) Joanna Jedrzejczyk is world class. (Featherweight Cris 'Cyborg' Justino) -- steroids or no steroids, you take away all that controversy -- is ferocious, terrifying, world class. That's four."
A potential fight between Rousey and Justino (14-1) would do massive business for the UFC. The promotion has demanded Justino prove she can make the 135-pound weight limit first, however. Justino fights at 145 pounds.
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