UFC champion Holly Holm’s next fight won’t be Ronda Rousey rematch

Holly Holm's next opponent won't Ronda Rousey.

UFC president Dana White announced on FOX Sports 1’s UFC Tonight on Wednesday that the newly crowned women's bantamweight champion will not fight the woman she beat to claim the belt in her next trip to the Octagon. White previously said he may lose his promoters license if an immediately rematch between Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey was not booked but announced on the show that, "Holly Holm will fight before she fights Ronda". Holm brutally knocked out the former baddest woman on the planet with a thunderous head kick in the second round of their main event contest at UFC 193 to claim the title. White did not reveal who her first title defence would be against but added that this does not mean we've seen the last of Ronda Rousey.

“You will see Ronda Rousey fight again. Ronda has dedicated the last three-plus years to working hard here. Not just fighting, but promoting and taking the sport and the UFC to a whole other level. Ronda has some well-deserved time off but she will fight this year.”

Number two-ranked contender Miesha Tate is thought to be the most likely fighter to get a crack at Holm's belt next.