What bit of controversy last night’s UFC 209 is receiving, UFC 208 received in droves.
Inaugural UFC Featherweight Champion Germaine de Randamie took on former bantamweight champion Holly Holm in UFC 208’s main event. After winning the featherweight title in the bout, “The Iron Lady” became largely criticized for her victory.
Landing two late blows on Holm after the bell within two separate rounds, Randamie’s victory was not as sweet as she may have wished.
On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour podcast, Holm provided her side to the debate.
“I know a lot of people say I won the fight clear, regardless of the late hits and all this, but I don’t really want a victory like that. I don’t necessarily want it overturned to like a win, but I definitely want to get a rematch. Hopefully the appeal will help with that.”
Holm appealed the loss to the NYSAC, but the appeal has since been denied.
Supplementing her point of view, Holm explained
“I also feel like I had her rocked so badly in the last round that I should have just sat back and picked my shots, and not even left it to the judges. So there’s a lot of things that I feel like in myself that I could have done better, and I should have done better, and I know I could have done better. In hindsight, everything is 20/20 you know?”
Seemingly fatigued by the topic and ready for the rematch, Holm said
“I want to be able to feel I have the opportunity to move forward. Like I said, I wouldn’t want to have a victory that way. To me, that’s not like a real victory. I would just love to have the opportunity to do it again.”
The former bantamweight champion did admit that she believes the late shots were intentional.
“I was with it mentally, because I knew exactly what happened…of course she did it on purpose. You’re not just waiting for the bell, you hear the 10-second taps before that. You know the end is coming. So no, she wasn’t in the heat of the moment, and especially doing it twice, and especially with the cockiness she had after it. Even still I wish I’d have kept going after the bell, too.” Holm Said.
Germaine de Randamie has shown interest in setting up a rematch with Holm, as she is seemingly unhappy with the circumstance as well.
