The fight between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm sparked numerous discussions about Rousey's weaknesses, Holm's strengths, and potential future matchups. This article delves into the specifics of the fight, analyzing Rousey's shortcomings and possible paths to improvement, as well as addressing the hypothetical scenario of a fight against Cyborg.
Ronda Rousey's Stand-Up Deficiencies
Ronda's stand-up game is widely considered abysmal, especially defensively. She gets hit by fighters who don't punch as hard as she does. The more Ronda gets hit, the more tired and frustrated she becomes, leading to desperate fighting and glaring mistakes. Ronda's footwork is also a significant issue.
Ronda's style doesn't lend itself to being able to switch gears, especially in a short period of time. Some argue that she needs to change her style and everything she has learned. However, others believe she doesn't have to change her style, she needs to improve on it. Her style always has and probably always will be to punch her way into the clinch & look for a throw. That;s not a bas style to have given her skillset, but she needs to improve her striking game to a point where she's able to get inside on outfighters like Holm.
She will still have issues with the right hook and circle away method of Holm. Her head is a stationary target and her hands stay low after a punch and drop during her wind up. She needs to sort out A LOT of things before getting back in there with Holm because right now she has one way of winning and there many things Holm has shown that she can prevent that.
Key Issues:
- Poor defensive striking
- Vulnerable to punches from less powerful opponents
- Ineffective footwork
- Difficulty cutting off the cage
Potential Improvements for Ronda Rousey
To improve, Ronda needs to focus on cage cutting and closing distances without chasing. She'll never be able to strike with Holm but she can learn how to intelligently get to the clinch. Maybe not with Edmund though. If she drilled cage cutting and learned to close the distances without chasing, she'd have a much greater chance of getting the fight to the ground where she can win.
Areas for Improvement:
- Footwork: Drills to improve cage cutting and close distance effectively.
- Striking Defense: Protecting the head and keeping hands up after punches.
- Patience: Avoiding chasing opponents and waiting for opportunities to clinch.
Ronda Rousey Shows Off Her Striking After 8 Year Break
If she can learn to cut the cage using a few kicks and feints, she wouldn't need to learn a lot. She shouldn't be in rage of Holm's punches but for a split second while she boxes into the clinch. Whether or not she is strong enough to get the throw is another thing. I'm not saying learning all of that is easy but I think she could get good enough in a year to greatly increase her odds of getting the fight where she is best.
Holly Holm's Strengths and Strategy
Holm won by striking from the outside & utilising angles to escape Rouseys clinch entries. Holly is just a humble fighter/gym rat, I can't see Ronda closing that gap given her current lifestyle. IF, and it's a huge IF, Ronda completely shelved her Hollywood and other outside of fighting aspirations, joined a proper gym and focused SOLELY on improving, then and only then would she has the chance of closing the gap with Holly.
The Cyborg Factor
The Cyroid thing is, as always pure speculation on everyone's part. People who think because HH executed a perfect plan against RR on the feet is proof Cyroid would do the same though? They are two TOTALLY different types of strikers. She charges, bull rushes & tries to overwhelm her op's.
Thing is I always had a feeling that Cyborg can get Ronda cause Ronda was getting hit by other girls and that's it. You never know how powerful could she be and precise with it and if this would overcome Rondas rushing in and putting Cyborg on the ground. As for a possible Cyborg-Rousey fight, I still think Rousey wins that.
Time and Training
Fighters having the same time to train doesn't mean they'll improve at the same rate. An athlete like Ronda could improve dramatically with elite training, whereas at her age & experience Holm is likely nearer her peak level. Not only Ronda has to improve. She must to change her style and change things she was learned. It's possible though that she can improve to the point she will be able to take Holm down but damn what are we talking about.
Ronda needs a year. Holly has that same year to improve herself, the gap doesn't just magically get any smaller. She needs to take time away from training, let that damage heal (3-6 months before she can eat an apple because her teeth are f---ed up) and then work on what she needs to work on.
| Fighter | Key Strengths | Areas for Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Ronda Rousey | Strong grappling, clinch fighting | Striking defense, footwork, cage cutting, patience |
| Holly Holm | Striking, utilizing angles, escaping clinch | N/A (already near peak level) |