It only took 16 seconds for Dana White and the UFC brass to realize they were in trouble—UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was much, much better than anybody they could match her up with.
Months prior to Rousey's UFC 175 matchup with Alexis Davis, White and company were looking to sign some much-needed talent to their shallow women's roster to challenge their trailblazing superstar. They attempted to lure former Strikeforce women's featherweight champion—now silver-screen action hero—Gina Carano back inside the cage. They failed. Fans urged the promotion to find a way to sign another big name onto the team: Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino. They failed.
In comes former professional boxing champion, and now undefeated women's mixed martial artist Holly Holm to serve as one of the few quality challengers Rousey has left.
It's highly unlikely Holm gets an immediate title shot, regardless of her boxing and MMA accolades. She'll likely have to step inside of the Octagon against an established opponent in hopes of illustrating to the MMA faithful that she won't just be another body for Rousey to toss or another arm for Rousey to bar break.
Keep reading to see the top three opponents for Holm's UFC debut.
