In what has to be the biggest upset in UFC history, Rousey was knocked out at UFC 193 by Holly Holm in front of a record crowd of 56,214 in Melbourne, Australia Saturday night with a kick heard round the world.
Rousey (12-1) struggled to avoid the strikes from the former boxing world champion, but when the ex-champ was dropped by a kick with a little over a minute remaining in the second round, Holm (10-0) pounced to land a barrage of blows that forced referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.
UFC president Dana White later confirmed Rousey had to be taken to hospital.
So proud of you @_HOLLYHOLM I've been saying you'd be a UFC champion for a long time and you did it! #UFC193 #AndNew pic.twitter.com/LV88rDj2qJ
— Matty Cruz MMA (@MattyCruzMMA) November 15, 2015
In Rousey's previous six defenses of her title, she had been taken beyond the first round just once, by Miesha Tate in their rematch in 2013. But Holm used her boxing skills to pepper Rousey with more strikes than she had ever seen before — not to mention a more superior stand-up game and footwork.
Rousey refused to touch gloves with the 34-year-old Holm to start the fight and looked to get inside to avoid the challenger's strikes.
Holm was happy to let Rousey chase her around the Octagon and, when the fight was on the canvas, it was the only time Rousey seemed comfortable. But that wasn't very often.
Half of Rousey's previous victims had been beaten by her notorious armbar but not tonight because Holm was able to escape and return to her feet to box.
White said that Rousey has earned the right to have an immediate rematch with Holm, if she wants it.
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