Holly Holm/Ronda Rousey Press Conference at the new Jackson/Wink Gym in Albuquerque

by Austin Killeen

On Friday August 28, at the new Jackson/Wink Gym in Albuquerque, Holly Holm held a press conference to promote her upcoming fight with world champion Ronda Rousey.   In the eyes of most people this is a David and Goliath matchup, with Holly playing the role of the little guy.  In all honesty I gave Holly little chance of winning leading up to the press conference.  But like a Donald Trump question and answer rally with the voters, she answered all the questions without the aid of a teleprompter.  The only reference Holly made regarding a fence, was describing the inside of the octagon.  The date of the match was announced as January 2, of next year in Las Vegas.  After the conference had concluded Dana White, President of the UFC announced the fight had been moved up to November 14^th and would take place in Melbourne, Australia.

Lenny Fresquez, Holly’s promoter/manager, was the first to speak.  He spoke about what an amazing ride it has been and to be associated with such great people.  Lenny mentioned Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson (who was not in attendance) Holly’s trainers and of course Holly herself.  In reference to people who think Holly has little chance of winning; “it’s great that they underestimate her.  We’re going in there with the utmost confidence.  We went through this when Holly fought Christy Martin.  It was the biggest thing then and Holly took care of business.”  Martin was a huge favorite and Holly was given little chance of winning.  Apparently the “Preacher’s Daughter” didn’t read the papers, because she won by a lopsided decision.  Lenny continued “I don’t see anything different, the name is bigger and it is just another fight.”

Mike Winkeljohn was next to take the mike.  He spoke of his long relationship with Holly.  “Holly walked into my gym sixteen or seventeen years ago and said hey I kind of want to do that.”  Winkeljohn spoke of Holly’s work ethic and stated that’s why we’re here today.  He also spoke of the Christy Martin fight and how Holly overcame the huge odds in that contest.  In speaking of Lenny Fresquez Winkeljohn said, “Lenny Fresquez has managed her career, and put things on the right path.”  He went on to say “it’s all about being smart, being intelligent and we’re putting together the best team around here.”  He finished by saying they would have the proper game plan that Holly can implement.  He closed by saying, “with her will and her desire she’s going to shock the world.”

Next up was Izzy Martinez who has a strong wrestling background.  Martinez might be the most important member of Holly’s team.   Ronda Rousey’s reputation is predicated on her ground game.  If Holly has any hope of victory, she’ll have to be able to survive if Rousey takes her to the canvas.  After the press conference had ended, he took me aside and broke cage fighting into three parts.  “There’s three parts to cage fighting; standup, the mat and clinching.  Clinching is where I come in.  When Ronda and Holly clinch then its game on, because Ronda will want to take it to the mat and Holly to stay on her feet.”  Martinez went on to explain that in boxing, a clinch stops the action.  In the cage a clinch allows both combatants the opportunity to attack the entire body.   “My job is to maximize Holly’s skills while limiting the opportunities of Ronda.”

Then it was Holly’s turn at the mike.  If poise means anything than she will be the next woman’s UFC bantamweight champion.  She took the time to answer every question from the media and it was here that I started believing in her chances at upsetting the odds.   Her most telling statement to my ears occurred when she stated “I’m not here to get a participation ribbon.”  It’s clear she’s not going to be content to be the next victim of the UFC’s most publicized champion in their sport’s history.   She talked about being nervous.  “I’m nervous every time I train even though there are no spectators, because my coaches work very hard and they want to see improvement.”

I was impressed by the press conference, I found it a lot more informative then most of these events.  It’s very evident that Holly Holm and her team have a realistic view of what’s in front of them and plan to meet the challenge.  If they do fail it won’t be the result of unrealistic expectations.  Thanks to Joey Villasenor, one of the trainers at the Jackson/Wink Gym, I have an example of a huge upset that occurred in the UFC.  Keith Jardine shocked the odds makers and fans when he upset Chuck Liddell in a cage match several years ago.  History can repeat itself and often does.  Don’t sell Holly Holm short on November 14^th, Team Holm has a plan and they expect to execute it in Melbourne, Australia.