Ronda Rousey Says ‘I’ll Be Back’ After Epic Knockout

UFC champion Ronda Rousey told the media “I’ll be back,” following an epic knockout. This weekend, Ronda Rousey, the undefeated American women’s UFC champ, was knocked out by Holly Holm. There has been a lot of bad blood between Holm and this fight deepened the cut — literally. This is arguably one of the most shocking knockouts in the history of women’s boxing.

It was shocking how quickly she went out. Up until this point, Rousey had been undefeated, but she only made it to the second round at UFC 193. Fifty-nine seconds in, Rousey was out with a kick to the head and a few hefty punches to the face. Holm continued to punch Rousey, even after she was down. She didn’t stop until the referee intervened and declared Holm the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion.

Holm is currently undefeated, which made Rousey herself a little nervous. Rousey admitted that she believed she’d beat Holm, but that it would be a difficult fight. With all the bad blood between them, Rousey entered the stage already livid at her competitor, and refused to touch gloves.

Following the match, Rousey was taken to the hospital to check for concussion and other injury, and since that time, rumors have been circling regarding the fighter’s health. This concern was magnified after she announced previously that she would be taking a little time off. Rousey put fans at ease with an Instagram message, stating, “I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support. I appreciate the concerns about my health, but I’m fine. As I mentioned before I am going to take a little bit of time, but I’ll be back.”

https://instagram.com/p/-IMlMPBEVB/

The UFC president has confirmed that Rousey did not have a concussion, but that she received plastic surgery for a deep cut on her lip.

The 28-year-old fighter announced previously that she would be taking an extended break to film her next movie, entitled Mile 22. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, as well. This break is projected to end around July, 2016.

Upon her return, there have been hints that her first match back will be with none other than Holly Holm. For Holm, this knockout was already a rematch, and she’s ready for another one. She told the Los Angeles Times the following.

“There’s always a good confidence knowing you did it once. A rematch is different. I had a brutal knockout [loss in a 2011 boxing match] and wanted that rematch so bad, and I avenged my loss. So going into a rematch, there’s a confidence for the winner of the first fight, but the other is coming with a whole different heart and a whole different mind-set. It’s a scarier fight. I’d train as hard or not harder.”

This seems like a good idea from a PR standpoint, but at the same time, critics are claiming that this idea will ultimately lose viewers and hurt Rousey’s name. The fight between Holly and Ronda wasn’t even close, and Rousey left with physical hurt to add to her many personal issues.

This has likely been one of the most hectic years for the UFC fighter, with multiple movies filmed and released, books written, conflict among her team members, and a financially-ruined coach. The knockout was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. This break for Rousey will be good for her career and her morale.

After a difficult year for the fighter, in which she made more enemies than friends, the response to her loss wasn’t positive. Donald Trump spoke out about the results, obviously still angry at Rousey for stating that she wouldn’t vote for him. “Glad to see that @RondayRousey lost her championship fight last night,” he said on Twitter. “Was soundly beaten — not a nice person!”

Glad to see that @RondaRousey lost her championship fight last night. Was soundly beaten – not a nice person!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2015

This won’t be the last we see of Rousey, despite the negative publicity around this fight. Rousey says, “I’ll be back,” and her return will likely be hailed by a Holm rematch.

[Photo by Quinn Rooney / Getty Images]