Holly Holm Explains Why She Thanked Ronda Rousey After Defeating Her in UFC Fight, Welcomes a Rematch

"A lot of us wouldn't have these opportunities without [Rousey]," MMA fighter says, adding that rival was "a very dominant champion for a reason"

By Rebecca Macatee Nov 24, 2015 2:14 PMTags

Even Ronda Rousey fans have to admit that Holly Holm's being a good sport about her UFC 193 win.

After knocking out the Rousey, 28, and ending her 12-fight winning streak, Holm, 34, thanked her opponent. On Monday's Late Night With Seth Meyers, the MMA fighter explained why she thanked Rousey and expressed her gratitude for all that her rival has accomplished for the sport.

"The reason why is this fight so big, why is this win so big for me, [is] because she [Rousey] was that good," Holm explained. "She was that dominant."

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"So after the fight, I was just like, 'Hey, a lot of us wouldn't have these opportunities without you, and I appreciate you, and you've been a very dominant champion for a reason,'" she said, "and I mean that."

And while Rousey remains undecided about the idea of a rematch, Holm is ready to go. "I welcome it," she told Meyers. "I've been on the other end of losing a bout before, getting knocked out and having to come back--I did avenge my loss, and I know that she'll be wanting to do the same..."

Holm knows it won't be easy to have a repeat performance of Sunday's fight, though. "I'll have to train twice as hard," she said. "She'll be coming back hard. She's a competitive person, and we all know that, so she'll be coming back hard."

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Watch: Will UFC Champ Holly Holm Give Ronda Rousey a Rematch?