UFC 193: Rousey v Holm (Photo : Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Just as quickly as it filled up, the Ronda Rousey bandwagon is losing its passengers.
That's the reality in boxing, and also the UFC: You're only as good as your last fight, and Rousey's last fight went as bad as it could get.
Now the search is on for the next UFC women's bandwagon superstar because it's never too early. What Culture embarked on that journey and found these rising stars. Granted, it suggests a WWE appearance, but the combination of looks, personality and marketing are the same factors that made Rousey the "queen" of UFC.
Paige VanZant has won all her UFC and MMA fights and also has the combination of "model good looks, sweet nature and determination." She may not be as menacing as Rowdy, but she has her own different brand of charisma.
Her next fight is against Rose Namajuanas on a Fight Night event and if she wins, perhaps a title shot is next.
What better place to find Rousey's heir apparent than on her undercard? Joanna "Champion" Jedrzejcyk was on UFC 193 (for those who only watched the Rousey match) against Canadian Valerie Letourneau.
While she was heavily favored, Jerdrzejcyk was almost upset by the Canadian as she was brought down, but she did recover with a front kick straight to her opponent's throat. She eked out a unanimous decision that was not too impressive, yet memorable.
The NY Times also sought for the next UFC flag carrier regardless of gender, and only two women made it to the list: Rousey herself and her opponent, Holly Holm.
The Times noted though, that Holm should avoid the footsteps of Buster Douglas, who, like Holm, upset the biggest name in the sport at that time (Mike Tyson). However, Douglas immediately lost his title and was only remembered as "the guy who beat Mike Tyson."
Holm could be the opposite of "Rowdy" though. She might even be "Humble" Holly Holm as she revealed in a one-on-one with Larry King what she told Rousey after their fight.
"I just said, 'You know I really admire you for being such a great, dominant champion. 'None of us would be here without you, so I appreciate you.'" (h/t MMA Fighting for the transcription).
She did not even get upset when Rousey controversially refused the glove-touch at the start of the match.
"No, it's a high-emotion sport," she said. "I think she's done great for the sport, because she's so passionate about what she does and carries this confidence about her," Holm said. "Everybody has their own ways of dealing with their emotions in the sport."
