Advertisement

Ronda Rousey's biggest rivals mock former champ after brutal KO loss

Ryan McKinnell
Ryan McKinnell

After watching Ronda Rousey’s shocking knockout loss to Holly Holm on Saturday, the sports world was reeling.

Will Rousey ever be the same? Will the sport recover? Will women’s MMA ever matter again?

Well, for two fighters – and longtime Rousey rivals – there were no questions about Rousey’s future. And there was definitely no concern for her overall health (Rousey was taken to the hospital after the fight) – only pure, unbridled excitement and celebration.

“I don’t understand why you would decide to be a #DNB when you’re getting kicked in the head,” wrote Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino in a Twitter post.

(Those who don't get the 'DNB' reference, see here.)

Cyborg has long been the fighter whom most fans thought had the best chance at dethroning Rousey. The only problem for Justino is, Holm beat her to the punch. Details aside, that was a brutal jab at Rousey.

Then again, there’s brutal and then there’s brutal.

“I’m [expletive] stoked,” admitted Rousey rival Miesha Tate (in a video that has since been made private) at a UFC 193 viewing party in Las Vegas. “[expletive] Ronda Rousey. [Expletive] her and her ‘nobody has a right to beat me.’ Nobody has the right to beat you? Well, you just got beat, [expletive].

Ronda Rousey receives medical treatment after being defeated by Holly Holm at UFC 193. (Getty)
Ronda Rousey receives medical treatment after being defeated by Holly Holm at UFC 193. (Getty)

“I’m proud of Holly. She had a perfect, flawless game plan. She came in with it tonight and now she is the champion. I look forward to that fight because I think I’m next in line.”

Oh, do you, Miesha?

Listen, it’s understandable that both Justino and Tate are elated. Heck, Tate got put in her place by Rousey on two different occasions, so watching Rousey receive some of her own medicine had to be a enjoyable experience.

And, yes, it’s true: Miesha Tate will probably have a quicker path to a UFC title now, as few people seemed interested in watching Tate vs. Rousey 3.

But as far as Miesha Tate getting the next title shot? Almost definitely not going to happen.

First of all, the UFC isn’t going to risk the Rousey-Holm rematch on the very real possibility that Tate goes in there and beats Holm. If that happens, then you once again set yourself up for another Tate-Rousey fight.

The money that will be brought in from a championship rematch between “Rowdy” and Holm will be too much for the UFC to ignore. So, don’t expect it to put Tate in a position to spoil that payday. The next fight for Holly Holm will be Ronda Rousey.

And speaking of spoilers: Holly Holm may have spoiled “Cyborg’s” chance at UFC relevancy.

Cyborg has been chasing a fight with Rousey for years. The only problem was, she could never make the 135-pound bantamweight limit. Now she is, for the first time ever, taking the necessary steps to make that happen.

That’s great and all – but who cares now?

Since Holm has debunked the unbeatable myth surrounding Rousey, the desire to watch Cyborg vs. Rousey just doesn’t seem to be there anymore. And when you add in the fact that Cyborg has been caught using PEDs – Justino tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, in Jan. 2012 – it’s not unthinkable that the UFC might decide she’s just not worth the trouble. (Cyborg currently fights in Invicta FC while she tries to make the bantamweight divisional limit of 135 pounds.)

Ronda Rousey hits the canvas after being knocked out by Holly Holm. (AFP)
Ronda Rousey hits the canvas after being knocked out by Holly Holm. (AFP)

So, as Justino – and to a lesser extent, Tate – sit back and gloat at the demise of MMA’s biggest superstar, they should really take a step back and recognize what it means…

Sure, they might eventually get their fights with Rousey. But just like Holly stole the “0” off Rousey’s record, she also jacked a zero or two off the final paycheck from Tate and Cyborg.

A good portion of Rousey’s drawing power and mystique was attributed to her dominance, and her ability to remain undefeated. Now that is gone, along with a lot of the intrigue.

After all, the women's bantamweight division was essentially created for Ronda Rousey. So, it’s not unthinkable that interest could drastically decline after Rousey’s fall.

So, Tate and Justino can revel in the demise of Ronda Rousey, but they both better realize that their careers are not benefitting from the historic upset. The money was there for whomever dethroned Rousey, and neither Cyborg nor Tate will cash in on it.