LEADING OFF: REMATCH OR ELSE

Holly Holm apparently will not be able to defend her new Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title until Ronda Rousey recovers from the beating Holm gave her. Holm’s first defence will come against Rousey, possibly on July 9 in Las Vegas, Dana White, president of UFC, told The Los Angeles Times. Holm knocked out the previously unbeaten Rousey in the second round in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 14 in what was widely touted as the biggest upset in mixed martial arts history. Holm’s manager, Lenny Fresquez, told the Times that Holm did not especially want to wait to fight, especially if Rousey is not ready by July. He said Holm would like to fight Miesha Tate, the No. 2 contender, in the interim. The Times reported that White responded to this with a sarcastic, “We’re real concerned with his opinion.” UFC keeps its top fighters under contract and has a great deal of control over who fights whom. While that often gives fans the matchups they want to see, fighters are not always delighted with whom they are told to face. Of a possible Rousey rematch, Holm said last month: “She’s mad that it’s not her title anymore. I’ve got to be twice as ready as last time.” The New York Times