The fight ended in the second round when Rousey was rushing forward in the opening minutes and was caught by a series of heavy counter-punches and kicks with a single power kick landing on Rousey’s head for a KO win.
Rousey was seen bleeding from the nose in the opening round as Holm landed on her targets with one power punch landing on Rouseys’ jaw. While Rousey was able to take Holm down, it was a short-lived edge as Holm broke away with Rousey unable to get the arm bar. Then it was Holm’s turn to bring Rousey down as they exchanged knees to the body after breaking way. The opening round ended in favor of Holm.
Rousey is used to scoring first-round knockout wins in her previous fights but it was Rousey’s off night in Melbourne as she got knocked out early in the game.
The 28-year-old Rousey has won 11 out of her 12 fights in the first round with nine via armbar.
Rousey is coming off a first round knockout win against challenger Bethe Correia of Brazil last August 1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was Rousey’s third knockout win in four fights. She was on a 12-fight winning streak since turning pro in 2011.
Rousey’s loss was one of the biggest upsets in the history of mixed martial arts.
According to UFC President Dana White, Rousey was brought to a hospital for treatment of her injured lip which was reportedly split in half.
“She was transported because she got knocked out,” White told MMAjunkie. “Then her lip was split in half, so they had to sew her lip.”
Holm, who lost twice in her pro career was a huge underdog leading up to the fight. It was Holm’s 34th fight since turning pro in 2002.
With the win, Holm bagged the Rousey’s UFC bantamweight belts.
