Holly Holm continues to reap the dividends of her sudden rise to fame, with reports that the reigning UFC Women’s bantamweight champion has been given a multi-fight contract extension.
The deal was confirmed no less by her manager and promoter, Lenny Fresquez via ESPN.
Though Holm rose to new heights with the shocking knockout triumph over Ronda Rousey, negotiations between the UFC and Holm’s camp had been ongoing. And in the end, both parties came up with an amicable settlement with Fresquez seemingly satisfied.
"I think Lorenzo said it best and I'm going to quote him -- we didn't get what we wanted, they didn't get what they wanted, but we settled in the middle and we're content. We're very happy and we look forward to them building Holly to the superstar she is," says Fresquez via Fox Sports.
Included in the new deal seems to be who the former boxer will face next. Per Fresquez, that could happen this coming week who adds that he is in no position to discuss details of the contract.
Could that announcement be the much-awaited rematch between Holm and Rousey?
A report from the LA Times seems to hint otherwise. In what seems to be a surprise, UFC President Dana White seems unsure on what is next for Holm. The original plan was to grant Rousey an immediate rematch but from the way the interview went, even that could be in doubt.
“I’ve got to talk to Ronda,” White said. “I haven’t had one business conversation with her since her fight,” says White via the LA Times.
Not too many people are convinced that Rousey is ready for an immediate rematch, seeing that the deposed champion is believed to be pretty much down and still feeling the effects of that second round knockout from Holm.
Fresquez was among the people who felt that Rousey may not be ready by the time UFC 200 comes around which is in July. With that in mind, he was batting for Miesha Tate or at least a match before UFC 200 in an effort to make sure that Holm would stay in competitive form.
While White did shoot down the idea, it looks like he has changed his stance and is now considering it. Has White realized the fact that Rousey may not be ready by the time UFC 200 comes around? Such could be the reason for his sudden change of direction for Holm.
“We have nothing done yet,” for either fighters’ next bout, White said. "We have a lot of work to do."