Holly Holm on possible Ronda Rousey rematch: 'Do what you want to do'

Is new UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm going to face Ronda Rousey in an immediate rematch? Holm said it’s ultimately up to the ex-titleholder.

“I think that as far as Ronda with the rematch, I feel like for her, do what you want to do,” Holm said on Friday’s edition of “Inside MMA.” “If you’re passionate about it and want to get back and avenge that loss, then great. And if you want to focus on other things, great.

“I’m supportive of any fighter just doing what they’re passionate about – whatever she wants to do.”

On Nov. 14 in UFC 193’s pay-per-view headliner, Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) put together a spectacular performance and finished Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) with a second-round head-kick knockout to capture the title. The long-dominant Rousey was as much as a 20-1 favorite on the week of the fight, but former pro boxing champ Holm pulled off the upset in a dominant performance.

Even this week, UFC Fight Night 78 fighters are still buzzing about the upset:

Rousey, an Olympic medalist who had become MMA’s biggest star during her dominant title reign, didn’t win herself any new fans after a heated blowup at UFC 193 weigh-ins and subsequent social-media outburst targeted at her opponent. Holm, though, retaliated only in the cage and never out of it.

In fact, as Rousey’s numerous critics piled on after the loss, Holm was quick to defend her. She did it again on “Inside MMA.”

“When it comes to a fight, there are so many emotions that go in there,” she said. “If you’ve never been in there, you just don’t understand it, to that degree. And yes, I think that she had a little bit of an attitude here or there, but she’s just there for a fight.

” … When it comes to the end of the day, she’s just a competitor, and I don’t have any hard feelings toward her. I hope she’s doing well.”

Immediately after UFC 193, UFC President Dana White said he was leaning toward doing the rematch, and oddsmakers have already set a line – with Rousey still the favorite.

Rousey, though, has been relatively quiet since the defeat, and aside from a social-media post saying she’s “going to take a little bit of time” off but will “be back,” she hasn’t said if she wants an immediate rematch.

For complete coverage of UFC 193, check out the UFC Events section of the site.