Ronda Rousey targets Holly Holm rematch in 2016: 'That's what I want to do'

It won’t happen at UFC 200 in July, but Ronda Rousey wants her championship rematch with women’s bantamweight titleholder Holly Holm to take place before the year is out.

Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has made only brief public appearances since she lost the UFC belt to Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in violent fashion at UFC 193 in November. “Rowdy” suffered a head-kick knockout loss for the first blemish in what she hoped would be an undefeated career.

While an immediate rematch initially seemed to be the plan, many believed the originally proposed timeline of UFC 200 in July was too ambitious. Rousey has movie roles and other obligations outside of fighting while Holm had little interest in sitting on the sidelines and waiting to fight.

Holm was recently booked for a UFC 197 showdown with Miesha Tate (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in what will be her first attempted title defense. Should “The Preacher’s Daughter” leave the March 5 pay-per-view event at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena with the belt, it’d likely set up another fight with Rousey later this year.

Rousey said she hasn’t discussed specifics with UFC officials, but she does know she wants it to be before the end of the year.

“Some time later in the year,” Rousey told TMZ. “They haven’t told me an exact date or location or anything yet.”

Several factors will go into locking down specifics for Rousey’s comeback fight. A title-winning victory for Tate at UFC 197 could change plans for everyone, but Rousey said that’s out of her control.

Once Rousey completes her busy schedule over the coming months, which includes hosting “Saturday Night Live” and movie projects like “Do Nothing B-tches” with Tina Fey, discussions about her next fight will truly heat up.

Rousey said she’s not going to make any demands. She intends to consult with UFC executives, discuss the best option, and then move forward. Naturally, however, a shot to avenge her loss to Holm is the main priority.

“It’s a decision we’re all gonna make together, but I’m kind of waiting to hear from them what options they’re gonna give me,” Rousey said. “Of course (I want the rematch). That’s what I want to do.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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