Holly Holm Fight News 2015: Freddie Roach believes Holm will be 'destroyed' once fight with Rousey goes to the ground
Boxing trainer Freddie Roach believes Holly Holm may have a difficult time dealing with Ronda Rousey once the fight gets down to the mats.
The 55-year old seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year awardee is no stranger to the mixed martial arts game. In the past, he has had the privilege of training some of the sport's biggest names, such as B.J. Penn, Anderson Silva, and for a time during the onset of her career, Ronda Rousey.
Roach appeared on MMA Fighting.com's "The MMA Hour" show, hosted by Ariel Helwani. He gave his opinions on the upcoming UFC 193 bout, headlined by Rousey and 19-time boxing world champion Holly Holm, basically echoing what the majority of MMA fans think about how the fight will go down.
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"Female boxing never really caught on like Ronda Rousey has," Roach said. "Ronda is just huge right now, and the thing is, she knows the ground game so much better than the boxing girl will."
In the beginning of her MMA career, Rousey's stand-up game was not as sharp as it is now. She often relied on getting the fight within clinch range, then use her judo throws to initiate her attack. Once she gets the fight to the ground, she takes full control of the fight, until she locks in her signature arm lock, that more often than not, has her opponents tapping out.
Holm may be more comfortable on the feet, being a natural striker, but Roach believes that wherever the fight may go, Rousey still holds the slight edge.
"[Rousey's] not the best in the world [at boxing], but she's good, she's very competitive, she tries really hard," Roach continued. "It's probably not the best thing she does, she probably better at ground game, but again, she's more experienced there."
"Her boxing is good, the girl she's fighting is a good boxer also," he added. "When they stand up it will be a good fight but when it goes to the ground she's going to destroy her."
