Holly Holm: ‘The Ronda Rousey Fight Came Sooner Than I Expected’

Holly Holm is set to fight Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, which was unexpected by many fans and media members alike because it was thought that Miesha Tate would be getting that title shot next.

Holm knows that Rousey is a tough test but also understand that she’s strong mentally and there was no hesitation to accept that fight.

“First off, there was no hesitation because I feel like that’s not a mental strength. You have to be mentally strong to get in there,” said Holm. When they called, it was like, ‘This is what’s next. Awesome.’ If I would have felt like I should have said no, then when the next fight comes it would be, ‘Was I doubting myself before? Am I doubting myself now?’ That’s just a not mentality I have in me, and I don’t choose to feel that way at all.”

Holly Holm (9-0) is currently undefeated and in her last six bouts, she’s has finished three of them by a finish stoppage.

“Did it come sooner than we would think? That’s not a lie to say yeah, it came soon, but I’m really excited for it. There’s so many girls in the division, but guess what: Even before I signed with the UFC it was like, ‘Hey, when are you going to fight Ronda Rousey?’ Now we’ve got it scheduled and can really focus on it. There’s been all these questions about it, but I’ve had all these other fighters in front of me. But I didn’t want to focus on anything but the fight that’s right in front of me. Now I can really focus and dive into this training camp, and I’m really excited for it.”

Rousey carries herself in a certain intimidating way, but Holm says she won’t be intimidated by Rousey come fight night.

“Nobody would want to watch a fight if they knew what was going to happen; the unknown is there, and anything can happen. I’m very capable. I’m walking with every bit of confidence into this fight. (I’m) confident without being cocky or overconfident. I’m going up against the best fighter. They aren’t calling her the most dominant female fighter. They’re calling her the most dominant female athlete, and that’s a lot to carry. Do I have to do everything right? Absolutely. But it’s possible.”

UFC 193 will be held on November 15, 2015 (in the U.S) from Melbourne, Australia at Etihad Stadium.