UFC commentator Joe Rogan on Rousey-Holm title fight: 'I don't think that's smart'

If you happened to roll your eyes when Ronda Rousey’s next opponent was unveiled on Good Morning America last week, you certainly weren’t alone.

Rousey, 28, went on the ABC morning show to tell the world that she would be fighting former world champion boxer, Holly Holm on Jan. 2, and not Miesha Tate.

Tate had widely been regarded as the next logical opponent for “Rowdy” after she conquered Jessica Eye in July at UFC on FOX, in what was her fourth win in a row. Despite losing to Rousey on two prior occasions, Tate was promised by the UFC that she would be next in line for a title shot.

However, that honor (or punishment, depending on your levels of delusion) went to Holm, despite the former boxer having made just two appearances inside the UFC’s Octagon.

One voice that has been highly critical of the Holm-Rousey pairinig is none other than UFC announcer and stand-up comic Joe Rogan. On a recent episode of his Fight Companion podcast, Rogan admitted that he was less than thrilled about Rousey’s next opponent, Holm.

However, unlike many fans and pundits, Rogan isn’t interested in the Tate trilogy either

"I don't agree with that fight," Rogan said. "That Holly Holm fight, I don't think that's smart. I would have gone with Amanda Nunes before Holly Holm. Amanda Nunes looked like a badass when she knocked out Sara McMann. That's a more dangerous fighter - a more marketable fighter."

Rogan isn’t lying. While she didn't win via knockout, Nunes did submit former Olympic silver medalist (and one-time Rousey foe) Sara McMann in the first round of their fight at UFC Fight Night in early August.

Granted, it was only her second win in a row, but she is 4-1 overall in the UFC, and her lone defeat came at the hands of top-ranked Cat Zingano.

Rogan’s issues with Holly Holm surely aren’t personal. In fact, he thinks the entire division is playing catch-up to Rousey. It’s just that Rogan, being the huge fight fan he is, understands that it takes longer than just two UFC fights to get ready for a fighter the caliber of Rousey.

Yes, Holm was a multi-time world champ in boxing, and yes, she’s undefeated in MMA, however what we’ve seen from Holm in the ‘big show’ hasn’t exactly knocked anyone’s socks off.

So, when it comes down to Rousey’s next challenge, Rogan, like many, would enjoy seeing Rousey matched up against an opponent with a more, well rounded, skillset.

"The Holly Holm fight is not as intriguing to me as Amanda Nunes would be. [Holm's] big issue is her grappling. Who knows, though? You never know. Maybe Holly, because her standup is so much more refined, she's been doing it for so much longer, maybe she can keep Ronda away from her. I'm serious. I just think, honestly, the real problem is that there's a lack of talent."

To put into context just how dominant Rousey has been, her last three fights have ended in a combined 64 seconds. It’s hard arguing with Rogan. After all, Rousey is so dominant, fans are actually getting behind the idea of seeing her battle Tate, a woman she has already defeated – twice.

In fact, competition has become so thin for Rousey, that legitimate talk of Rousey fighting a man (namely Floyd Mayweather) has been a constant talking point for mainstream media.

So, just remember, MMA fans, when you catch yourself rolling your eyes at the thought of another Rousey mismatch, just be glad it’s against an actual woman this time.