The UFC is determined to continue their growing popularity and success in 2016 and it all starts with the expected rematch between UFC Women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey.
While this wasn’t really something that came as a surprise, it douses all doubts on who will face Holm next.
Holm shocked the world when she dominated and won the title from a seemingly unbeatable Rousey at UFC 193 who was perfect up to until that point. Rousey eventually lost that one via stunning second round knockout when the former boxer got in a timely left kick to the face that left Rowdy out cold.
Though UFC president Dana White did not leave specifics, there is a belief that the rematch will likely take place at UFC 200 in July 2016. This was the same time that Rousey had previously said she would return as she tries to fulfill her film obligations for the next six to seven months.
“Me and my partner [UFC CEO] Lorenzo [Fertitta] should lose our promoters’ license [if we didn’t have a rematch],” White said on ESPN. “The ability to do fights should be taken away from us if we don’t do this rematch.”
The UFC’s plans for 2016, however, do not stop there.
Another fighter who is expected to make his return is Jon Jones who will likely be facing UFC light heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier.
A possible tiff between the two could take place earlier, possibly at UFC 198 which will happen in April 2016 which may take place at the Madison Square Garden in New York. While the event is certain to take place, the official venue could change depending if combat sports will be legalized in the state.
“We’re very optimistic that that can happen,” White said via the Washington Post. “It would make all the sense in the world to throw Jon Jones [on the card].”
The rematch is something equally interesting and something which could have happened in the second half of 2015 had Jones not had his off-ring problems.
This is with reference to that celebrate April hit-and-run incident that Jones was involved in. This led to his suspension as well as being stripped of the UFC light heavyweight belt which was eventually won by Cormier.
Cormier has been eager to get back at Jones ever since DC was dealt his first career loss back in January.
With a Jones vs. Cormier possibly in April followed by the highly anticipated rematch between Holm and Rousey in July 2016 is shaping up to be another good year for the UFC plus more!