Joe Rogan, UFC commentator once said for Ronda that “Once in a lifetime doesn’t apply for her, It’s once ever in human history.” She is one of the highest paid athelete star and was also "The Best Female Athlete of All Time" according to votes recieved by ESPN from its fan. It was in September 2015 when Ronda Rousey was truly looking unbeatable and invincible. But that was all before her match with Holly Holm.
So what really went wrong with Ronda Rousey who was said to be stronger than most men and was given many superlatives before her name. Before her match with Holly Holm, she had knock out Betha Corriea in the previous match. Rousey, known for her Judo skills played the standup game and quickly beat the Beathe in the game. Confident with her game and high on success, Ronda thought of implementing the same game plan of fighting toe to toe in the next match but Holly was much seasoned boxer than Betha. But her game plan didn’t worked in match with Holly and she being used to of dominaing the game was seen frustrated and deperate as the time passed. She was not even looking ready for the match neither physically nor mentally. It may be because of her broken nose ( she was seen breathing through her nose ), she was not looking in her best form for the match. Another reason which her critics point out was her overconfidence and lack of respect for her opponent and her weak coaching, as Ali Abdelaziz pointed out that Holly Holm was much better coached than Ronda Rousey. Even Ronda’s mother thought of her coach as “pathetic”. She was also said to be much less focused as she used to be because of her movie carrier.
Ofcourse much credit should be given to Holly Holms, she prepared in the way a champion should prepare for the World Title. Holm who is a good boxer, had also been trained in kickboxing in her early carrer with MMA and she was experienced enough to beat a player of Ronda’s standard. Throughout the match, she stick to her game plan and kept patience in handling some great shots that night from her opponent. The hunger for the world title could be seen in her eyes and that is one most neccessary trait needed to win a match of such status and her hardwork paid out finally.
It is a lesson which along with Ronda Rousey, everyone will remember that to stay at the top required much more focus, discipline and killer instinct than reaching the top.
Ofcourse much credit should be given to Holly Holms, she prepared in the way a champion should prepare for the World Title. Holm who is a good boxer, had also been trained in kickboxing in her early carrer with MMA and she was experienced enough to beat a player of Ronda’s standard. Throughout the match, she stick to her game plan and kept patience in handling some great shots that night from her opponent. The hunger for the world title could be seen in her eyes and that is one most neccessary trait needed to win a match of such status and her hardwork paid out finally.
It is a lesson which along with Ronda Rousey, everyone will remember that to stay at the top required much more focus, discipline and killer instinct than reaching the top.