Morning Report: Holly Holm co-signs on Gina Carano getting first crack at Ronda Rousey

UFC women's bantamweight Holly Holm hasn't been signed to the promotion for two weeks but she's already figuring into the division's title picture. Arguably a contender to champion Ronda Rousey before she was even signed, Holm looked to be a fresh addition to a stagnant division. Rather than risk another potential mauling at the hands of Rousey, the UFC seems to be opting for the big name appeal of women's MMA pioneer turned actress Gina Carano. Carano has been absent from fighting since a 2009 bout in Strikeforce, as a competitive opening round against Cris Cyborg spiraled into a one-side beatdown for the face of the sport.

Gaining her own perspective, ESPN asked Holm whether or not she believed Carano deserved an immediate title shot at Rousey.

"Carano has been on the big show before, so she can handle the pressure." said Holm. "There are a lot of girls who have been working hard for a shot who might deserve it a little more than someone who has been out that long, but Carano has put a lot of time in before. She's earned her spot in certain ways. Who am I to say Carano is undeserving of an opportunity? I'll let the promoter make those decisions."

Holm also commented on the state of MMA's mixed gender pound-for-pound rankings, believing they better serve the sport by showcasing female athletes alongside their male peers.

"I know there is a certain strength in men that is a little different in females but personally I would like to be on a pound-for-pound list that's mixed," said Holm. "It's a compliment. Heck yeah, let's do it. In 2008, I was nominated for an ESPY for best fighter of the year. I knew I wasn't going to win. I was up against Floyd Mayweather, Kelly Pavlik and Georges St-Pierre, but I'll tell you, it was more of an honor for me to be nominated best fighter of the year than female athlete of the year because I was grouped in with those guys."

UFC president Dana White recently expressed some frustration over the media's pound-for-pound rankings in regard to Rousey, saying she'd be ranked No. 1 if she were male.

On the mend with a broken arm, Holm told Inside MMA she'd be ready to make her UFC debut around 'the end of October, beginning of November.' Rousey most recently defended her title in a 16-second TKO of Alexis Davis at UFC 175 on Jul. 5.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

It factor. Chuck Mindenhall explains how Conor McGregor went from tearing his ACL to being the guy every UFC featherweight is now lining up to fight.

5 years later. Dave Meltzer looks back on UFC 100 and wonders if the promotion will ever recapture that level of appeal in a single event.

Next one? Dana White says Conor McGregor reminds him of Ronda Rousey.

Mighty Mouse > Honey Badger. Demetrious Johnson doesn't care if his oppoenents are cheating by taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Too soon? Dana White doesn't hate the idea of Gunnar Nelson fighting Rory MacDonald next.

MEDIA STEW

Conor McGregor Octagon interview.

Fight Night Dublin presser highlights. (full presser here)

Dana White's post-fight scrum from Dublin.

Highlights from Legacy FC 33.

Fight Motion: Cerrone vs. Miller.

UFC Road to the Octagon: Lawler vs. Brown.

Long watches.

Fight Night Dublin: Fighter's Q&A

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night: Dublin.

Victory lap.

Job done @PaddyHolohanMMA @PendredMMA @GunniNelson @TheNotoriousMMA #UFCDublin pic.twitter.com/iwnuz1beEv

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) July 19, 2014

@Schwarzenegger Thank you so much Arnold!! Glad you liked the show!! Hopefully see you again soon my friend, thank you!!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 20, 2014

What a night, my personal high point was when @PendredMMA sunk in that beauty! @John_Kavanagh @TheNotoriousMMA @danawhite @PaddyHolohanMMA

— Gunnar Nelson (@GunniNelson) July 20, 2014

.@GunniNelson's new born baby showing some Irish Pride back home in Iceland. pic.twitter.com/8D0wvSbNEE

— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) July 20, 2014

Goddamn that was fun. Thank you @one_punch for being such a good man. http://t.co/S7uxNdw4W5

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 19, 2014

Unbelievable atmosphere last night and the reception was breath taking! Irish fans are the loudest pound4pound!! pic.twitter.com/hmmun84Qa3

— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) July 20, 2014

Team support the t shirt says it all mad pox pic.twitter.com/u5qXMNp6sx

— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) July 20, 2014

Myself and @MikeTheManKing went to WAR last night. Then we went and had a few drinks together. I love this sport!! pic.twitter.com/Hu1eYaSEAR

— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) July 20, 2014

Post fight pint with some of my Irish homies. My liver might not be happy but I'm loving this place! pic.twitter.com/XaIAwhhxSd

— Trevor Smith (@trevorsmithmma) July 20, 2014

Better luck next time.

@DiegoBrandaoMMA Thank you for the fight Diego!! All the best with your career in the future my friend!!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 20, 2014

Felling good already to go back to the gym #godbless i will see u guys next time #UFCFightNight #DBelieve

— Diego Brandao (@DiegoBrandaoMMA) July 20, 2014

At the Jameson Distillery in Dublin with these goof balls. #barrelmansfeast @jamesonpub pic.twitter.com/XbyngdBID4

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) July 20, 2014

Man im so gutted this morning not sure whats next for me now but thanks to everyone for the support life goes on

— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) July 20, 2014

Will this cast help a broken knuckle? Half cast loose as anything? pic.twitter.com/l1R2KReRTm

— Phil Harris ufc (@Philharrismma) July 20, 2014

Brilliant night out @PendredMMA his gf @MicheleMcGrathx and my love @ElizabethBland9 #brothersInArms #FOTN #dublin pic.twitter.com/SyBudS0nJO

— Mike King (@MikeTheManKing) July 20, 2014

Moving needles.

@MikeKogan hey Kogan u scumbag POS if Nate didn't listen to ur dumb ass he wouldn't be in this position. Quit fuckin up kids careers dirtbag

— Dana White (@danawhite) July 18, 2014

Yikes.

Get well soon.

On my way to LA for my follow up Appt w my knee surgeon! I know I'm doing everything on my end to make... http://t.co/CHXm7TtGHJ

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) July 20, 2014

Nothin' like some puppy love to help with recovery after surgery. #pointer #pitbull #rescue... http://t.co/8Qd8j22xQw

— Jessamyn Duke (@jessamynduke) July 20, 2014

That's pressure.

Just hit U.S. Border Customs. recognized (lol) then interrogated about what's next for @TheNotoriousMMA. Seriously.

— Sean Shelby (@seanshelby) July 21, 2014

Reem shrink confirmed? Hard to say.

So grateful to have Alistair Overeem as a new teammate!! What a humble and hard-working individual pic.twitter.com/yfVDrhdtXw

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 18, 2014

Bad Romance.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Jul. 18-20 2014)

Hyun Gyu Lim vs. Takenori Sato at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Davis8185.

Now There Is P4P Crowds?

Last Saturdays UFC event in Ireland was a big event considering it was a fight pass event. By the end of the night we were talking about What may be next for the hometown guys like Conor McGregor, Gunner Nelson, and Norman Parke. Another topic of discussion was the atmosphere of the Dublin crowd. When Dana was asked this question about the Dublin crowd, he declared it as the #1 P4P crowds he has ever went to.

First we have the stupid discussion of the P4P rankings and some controversy of whether or not Ronda Rousey should be on the top P4P list. Now we have this discussion of whether or not this crowd is #1 P4P. What does that even mean? P4P means if everyone was the same weight that fighter would be the best.

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Check out the rest of the post here.

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