You could be forgiven for thinking the events of UFC 193 were all a dream. From the 56,214 people who turned up to Melbourne's Etihad Stadium to help break the UFC's highest attendance record, to the explosive end of the evening that saw Holly Holm dethrone Ronda Rousey, this was one hell of a strange evening.
Rousey, who had looked previously all but unbeatable during her reign as Strikeforce and then UFC champion, had been expected to continue to steamroll her way into the record books with another destructive performance. Holm, however, had other plans, proving beyond doubt she is the real deal with a second round head kick KO that left hardcore and casual fans around the world open mouthed and wondering just what had happened.
While UFC President Dana White made it clear a rematch between Rousey and Holm would definitely happen, the fact the now former champion is expected to take some time out to make a movie means there could be other options. Here are just a few fights we could see Holm in now.
Ronda Rousey: Despite the fact she now has a break scheduled, the rematch between Rousey and Holm could well be the biggest fight out there for the UFC. It is also one that would undoubtedly be a lot tougher to call for those who bet on MMA. While an immediate rematch would make a lot of sense and give Rousey the chance she deserves to regain her title, there is an argument to say that this is a fight that might be better put on ice until UFC 200 in July 2016. If Rousey decides she needs to right the wrongs from Melbourne, though, we could well see this rematch at the start of the new year.
Miesha Tate: It was only a couple of weeks ago when Miesha Tate was making noises indicating she might be forced to retire from MMA due to the fact she was unlikely to be given a third crack at Ronda Rousey following two comprehensive defeats. With a new queen on the throne, though, the UFC may allow Holm to make a defence of her new title while Rousey takes her break. It would be hard to argue Tate hasn't done enough to deserve it since that last defeat, racking up four straight wins over the past 18 months.
Cat Zingano: It's been a tough few years for Cat Zingano, but one of the most popular female fighters in the UFC could well be next up for the new champion. Having suffered an embarrassing 14 second loss to Rousey at UFC 184, Zingano has been battling injuries throughout this year. But the 33-year-old is now scheduled to make a return to the Octagon over the next few months. With just one loss on her record, her performance against Rousey shouldn't overshadow what Zingano has achieved in the sport.
