Dana White Confirms Holly Holm To Defend Title Before Ronda Rousey Rematch

It looks like “The Preacher’s Daughter” is going to get her way, as it appears Holly Holm will not have to wait around for Ronda Rousey before getting back in the Octagon.

While no opponent has been made official for Holm’s first defense of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, which she won by brutally knocking out the previously unbeaten Rousey this past November, UFC President Dana White announced on Wednesday’s edition of “UFC Tonight” that Holm will be defending her title against a different contender before giving Rousey her promised immediate rematch.

The top candidate for Holm’s first title defense appears to be former title challenger Miesha Tate, as she was originally in line for a title shot against Rousey before being passed over in favor of Holm, and is the person Holm’s camp requested when meeting with White last month to try and get the UFC to agree to let her fight someone before the Rousey rematch so she can stay active.

A date and venue for Holm’s first UFC title defense has yet to be announced.