It doesn't sound like Ronda Rousey could be ready to fight anytime soon.
Rousey told ESPN this week that she could be months away from "eating an apple," so a rematch with women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm at UFC 200 in July may be wishful thinking.
Holm's manager Lenny Fresquez met with UFC officials Monday and has already been given a proposal to book Holm for the July 9 event in the new Las Vegas Arena.
"I'm not sure Ronda will be ready for a July fight," Fresquez told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times. "She took a severe beating, and I don't think it's in her best interest to take the next fight so fast. They told me she's been ready and cleared, but ... "
Fresquez isn't ruling out the July date with Rousey, but says he'd like Holm to make her first title defense to former No. 1 contender Miesha Tate.
"Holly's used to staying active," Fresquez said. "We're from the old school, and we believe the No. 1 contender is there for a reason. ... [Tate] deserves a shot, but it's not for me to decide."
Fresquez says Holm could be ready to fight as early as February, but that the UFC informed him there weren't any open dates for her return prior to July 9.
"Holly's not so much about the money as [much as thinking] she wants to fight," Fresquez said. "We'd like to fight Miesha. We understand there are risks, but Holly's a dominant champion, and she wants to fight the best. Right now, Miesha is the best."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'I'm staying with Edmond Tarverdyan.' Ronda Rousey says she won't switch camps after her KO loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
'Life isn't only about money.' Jose Aldo's wife says Dana White pressured Aldo to fight injured at UFC 189.
'I talk bulls--t, he starts talking bulls--t.' Heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury says Conor McGregor copies everything he does.
Scrum. Sage Northcutt discusses his UFC return, training at Tri-Star, if he's going to give up school, steroid allegations, and more.
Gee, thanks. White House releases official response to Nick Diaz petition regarding his five-year suspension.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 194 embedded episode 2 and 3.
Rose Namajunas talks PVZ, cutting her hair and more.
Open workout highlights for Thursday.
The return of Joe Lauzon's fight week vlogs.
B.J. Penn is thinking about doing a comeback test camp like Georges St-Pierre.
Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes are picking Jose Aldo to beat Conor McGregor.
Long watches.
Chael Sonnen's 'You're Welcome' with Eddie Bravo.
...
Chuck Liddell talks evolution & rise of MMA, Conor McGregor and Reebok deal
...
TWEETS
Now it's real.
Warming Up! #AndStill #TeamAldo pic.twitter.com/sYQdjf7cJP
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) December 9, 2015
The new and improved Mac Mansion! #SinCity #TheChampIsHere pic.twitter.com/rGgvdZWOVA
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 8, 2015
Helpful advice.
Why is drinking 2 1/2 gallons of beer a day so easy. Whereas drinking 2 1/2 gallons of water a day, will drive you insane.
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 8, 2015
So just drink the Beer??? Not sure I've ever drank 2 1/2 gallons in my life. Don't understand that water load shit? https://t.co/eQjVvWv8qN
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) December 8, 2015
Start drinking ✈️ https://t.co/M0nqrTfnrr
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) December 9, 2015
Congrats.
500 FREAKING POUNDS‼️ Mission complete✅ #ZiaStrong Thanks for the support GAT
Posted by Jon "Bones" Jones on Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Texas A&M Battalion Newspaper! #aggies #battalion pic.twitter.com/QTAG1WkXJK
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) December 9, 2015
I've signed a new bout agreement....#UFCOrlando I'm coming for you!!!
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) December 9, 2015
Hard work pays off got my first blue belt stripe today thanks coach Jake and John for seeing my... https://t.co/sMgQG4w9ui
— Willie Gates (@WhOopassWilliE) December 8, 2015
Hit my first clean berimbolo tonight.not a big feat for some, but ive not been this chuffed since i was introduced to a choc ice #jiujitsu
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) December 8, 2015
Dang.
The look you give when you're sprayed with cold water at a photo shoot #AndStill #UFC194 pic.twitter.com/8EaQJehLrp
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 9, 2015
Lean and mean! #Repost @ufc ・・・ Photo shoot this am! Repping the Stars and Stripes! @frankieedgar... https://t.co/cke8tzXzxX
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) December 8, 2015
Still not happy.
@RondaLoveCult @EddieTarverdyan Because he is a tax cheat, committed mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud - for a start.I don't like dishonesty
— DrAnnMaria (@DrAnnMaria) December 9, 2015
Buds.
One of my #BJJ favorite athletes Gabi Garcia !! She fights dec 31 #mma pic.twitter.com/mjp30BM39Z
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 8, 2015
Beef.
You say you don't like MMA @Tyson_Fury but I saw more grappling and less punching in your last fight than any MMA bout.
— michael (@bisping) December 8, 2015
When Tyson fury said no one in mma can box pic.twitter.com/J3RE6lKcAU
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) December 8, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 8 2015)
Chi Lewis Parry out, Paul Cheng vs. Brandon Vera at ONE Championship 35
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.