2. A Terrible Game Plan
Andy Brownbill/AP As mentioned, Ronda Rousey fought angry at UFC 193. So it's hard to tell how bad the game plan really was - did she just ignore it? Still, from the get-go, it didn't look good. Holly Holm had a reach and striking advantage. It was expected that she would use her jab and kicks to keep Rousey on the outside. However, to win, she would have to engage the champ at some point. Rousey would have been smart to get Holm bring the fight to her, catch her coming in, take her down, and arm-bar her. Instead, Rousey played the aggressor, as she did against Bethe Correia. Against Bethe, that approach worked, because Bethe was frankly outclassed. However, against a seasoned striker like Holm - who is very happy playing the counter-striking game - it was a devastating mistake. Holm was able to land combinations almost at will as Rousey charged in with her chin up and hands down, throwing sloppy, looping punches. That was just poor planning all around. Rousey may have been trying to make a statement - "I can beat you at your own game" - but it failed.