Morning Report: Dana White responds to Holly Holm's team, insists she'll wait for fight with Ronda Rousey
More bad news for Miesha Tate.
After flying out to meet with UFC officials Monday to discuss her next bout, Holly Holm's manager Lenny Fresquez stated an interest in having the women's bantamweight champion make her first title defense to Miesha Tate.
Fresquez was concerned about Ronda Rousey's availability, doubtful she'd even be ready for a targeted bout at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas.
Fresquez also made it clear Holm wanted to get back into the Octagon as soon as February rather than wait for Rousey. Holm stopped Rousey with a vicious head kick during the second round of their main event Nov. 15 at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia. Understandably, the 34-year-old champion isn't interested in an eight-month layoff.
Well, it sounds like Lenny came a long way for nothing.
Responding to Fresquez's comments, UFC President Dana White told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times that "it's Rousey" next for Holm.
"We're real concerned with his opinion," White said "in a sarcastic tone."
Claiming to be in contact with Rousey "seven times a day" since the loss, White says he doesn't have concerns over her ability to rebound against Holm.
"Ronda is the fiercest competitor I have ever met in my life and she's also very proud," White said. "What made the world love Ronda is that Ronda absolutely 100% knew she was not going to lose. People rallied around this powerful female figure."
Parroting what Rousey recently told ESPN, White described the moment the former champ found herself in deep waters for the first time in her UFC career.
"Ronda's never lost a fight," said White. "She will overcome it and be back. She got clipped, stayed in there and tried to fight through it. She told me she was in there, she was rocked, and she'd never been rocked like that before. And the things that were going on in her head - what she was doing - she'd never been in that situation."
Presumably headlined by Holm and Rousey, UFC 200 is targeted for July 9 at the new Las Vegas Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Pre pre-show. MMA Fighting's Chuck Mindenhall, Ariel Helwani and Shaun Al-Shatti take a closer look at this week's three UFC events.
The kid from the favela. Guilherme Cruz profiles Jose Aldo's rise to the top of the pound-for-pound list.
'What can they say after Jose falls?' Conor McGregor says he'll "prove his point" when he KO's Jose Aldo at UFC 194.
'That's not a problem.' Jose Aldo says Conor McGregor's spies must be telling him that Aldo is going to win.
Super Bowl weekend. The rematch between heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez is being targeted for UFC 196 in February.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 194 embedded episode 4.
Ariel Helwani chats with Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.
All craziness aside, Chael Sonnen makes his picks for UFC 194.
Faceoffs from the UFC 194 presser.
Dana White talks McGregor's mind games.
Episode 2 of Joe Lauzon's fight week vlog.
Long watches.
UFC 194 Aldo, McGregor, Wayward Rousey - If I Did It
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TWEETS
Fun.
3 days
Posted by Luke Rockhold on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
War ready. https://sqor.com/posts/d86ed52e-9b5c-404e-b7ad-c05b92b1375e/uid/31402
Posted by Conor McGregor on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
These 2 are so BAD ASS!!! Love this stare down @rosenamajunas vs @paigevanzantufc @ufcfightpass pic.twitter.com/33ZeEf9SXP
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 10, 2015
Cuttin'.
A importância da alimentação nos dias que antecedem a luta. Pra quem acha que Vegas é só glamour e restaurante chique......
Posted by Jose Aldo Junior on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
My entire life's work has been for this moment. I have cut no corners in my preparation.On Saturday night I will take...
Posted by Conor McGregor on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Watch out, DC.
Hey @Jakeherbert84 let me know if you'd be interested in maybe visiting for a few days
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 9, 2015
Buds.
Two great fighters going against each other show nothing but respect in Media Day. @ronaldojacare @yoelromeromma @ufc @beanshop #soldierofgod @firstroundmgmt
Posted by Yoel Romero on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Not good.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel #TitanFC36 on #December18. We will be releasing a statement shortly. Look forward to a great #2016
— Titan FC (@TitanFighting) December 9, 2015
You guys should stop running events unless you pay guys for every cancelled event. https://t.co/z3oxyUFtSB
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) December 9, 2015
@TitanFighting down other opportunities to fight for you! This is the 3rd event. You should quit. Fighters should never sign with you
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) December 9, 2015
Pico.
I had a pleasure to watch and learn a little with these monsters |||----->>>>Tive o prazer de assistir e aprender um...
Posted by Rafael Dos Anjos on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Congrats.
Got promoted to purple belt by Grandmaster Relson Gracie himself tonight. Wow what an honor. @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/TkbrrJeuCJ
— Andrea Lee (@AndreaKGBLee) December 10, 2015
Multi-talented.
Enjoy https://t.co/AHidCUElid
— KailinCurran (@KailinCurran) December 10, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 9 2015)
Ryan Hall vs. Artem Lobov at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez at UFC 196
Muhammed Lawal vs. Brett McDermott at Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2015
Mizuki Inoue vs. Lacey Schuckman at Invicta FC 15
Amanda Bell vs. Ediane Gomes at Invicta FC 15
Christine Stanley vs. Shannon Sinn at Invicta FC 15
Megan Anderson vs. Amber Leibrock at Invicta FC 15
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.