The Thursday Throwback: UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm

Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC
A shot heard around the world.

November 14th. 2015, Holly 'The Preacher's Daughter' Holm not only shocks the entire mixed-martial-arts world, but alters the landscape of the women's bantamweight division forever. In a sold out Marvel Stadium, 'Down Under', Holm meets undefeated Judoka, 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey for all the marbles.

Rousey had fast tracked her way to mixed-martial-arts immortality in just four years. The Californian had bested each and every challenger to her 135-pound throne, in almost effortless displays. The 32-year-old had submitted Cat Zingano inside just fourteen seconds, had finished Bethe Correia and Alexis Davis with strikes, and had one of the most prominent armbars in the sport.

Simply put, by the time the Octagon rolled around to Australia, Rousey was more than a household name and one of the most recognisable figures on the globe. Along with Conor McGregor, the pair became the 'posterboy' and 'postergirl' for a new, never before seen age of mixed-martial-arts. By the time the masses exited the Docklands arena, Rousey was title-less as the mixed-martial-arts community tried to gather their thoughts. It seemed impossible, the prospect of bettering Rousey. Within the opening round, the danger of Jackson-Wink MMA product Holm was evident. Within the opening minute of the second frame, Rousey was unconscious. One of the most iconic photo's snapped in the sport's young history, is the image of Holm launching that massive left high kick at Rousey, who subsequently sunk into her frame.

Rousey was dominated in every sense of the word. Second to the punch on each occasion, highlighted with an infamous wild swing in the early goings of the second round. Holm ducked under a winging hook and circled away as Rousey's composure followed her to the canvas. The downfall of Rousey is common knowledge at this stage. After an eleven month hiatus, the Riverside born Judo practitioner returned to the Octagon in an attempt to reclaim her title from Amanda Nunes. Inside sixty seconds, Rousey was once again finished with strikes.

2015 opponent Holm, has followed an similarly unfortunate fate. The bantamweight title juggled in the following year, as Holm exacted a masterclass against Miesha Tate, only to suffer a final round rear-naked choke loss. Tate then lost by rear-naked choke to Nunes, who has maintained her rank as queen of the bantamweights to the current day.

Rousey remains a household name worldwide, carrying a great deal of mixed-martial-arts viewers to World Wrestling Entertainment in the years since. Rocky form has dominated the recent times of Holm's career. The former boxing champion was scheduled to meet Raquel Pennington at UFC 243 recently, with an injury forcing her from the contest. The Albuquerque based kickboxer has challenged for Octagon gold three times since, losing one-sided displays to Cris Cyborg and the aforementioned Nunes most recently. Holm also featured in the inaugural featherweight title showing, opposite Dutch striker Germaine de Randamie in an hugely controversial and debated bout.

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