Morning Report: Holly Holm isn't buying that 'hype monster' Ronda Rousey was created by the media

Was Ronda Rousey just a cultural phenomenon created by the media?

I'll never tell, but that's a take being offered up by former UFC contender Chael Sonnen.

Reacting to those comments on ESPN Radio with Dan Le Batard, Holm says Rousey deserves credit for even garnering that media attention in the first place.

"I think she was really able to run though people, though," Holm said of Rousey. "She was kind of able to run through the girls in the division, but yes, everybody is beatable. I knew that. I'm not as bold as Chael to go out and say that. There was media around her but she was able to go in and take care of these girls so I hate to say that she's all hype. That's not what it is.

"She's been able to do well with all of this pressure on her and she's been able to perform. I don't take anything away from her performance but I'm one of those that believe every fighter is beatable and I didn't want to listen to all the hype. That's why I was able to get in there and do my business."

Holm put Rousey away early in the second round with a head kick knockout Nov. 15 at UFC 193. Aside from a brief moment on the mat, Holm never appeared to be in serious trouble against Rousey.

"After I landed the first few straight lefts that landed solid I thought, 'You know what? Yup, I can do this,'" Holm said. "I never felt like, 'Oh, this is in the bag.' Anything can happen in a fight. Until the knockdown happened with the kicks and I knew I could finish her did I really let that sink in like, 'Oh, I got her.'

"Anything can happen in there, especially with someone like Ronda that can pull off an armbar in two seconds or land that solid punch and drop you. There's a lot of things to watch out for even if you're dominating. Anything can happen in a fight."

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Must watch. Jon Jones breaks silence on accident, arrest, suspension, return to UFC and much more.

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Neil Magny, Kelvin Gastelum, Henry Cejudo, Ricardo Lamas and Diego Sanchez move forward following UFC Fight Night: Monterrey.

Safe. For the second time in three years, the FTC has ended an investigation into the business practices of the UFC.

Injury bug. Michelle Waterson is injured and is out of her UFC 194 fight with Tecia Torres.

Booked. Heavyweight contenders Josh Barnett and Ben Rothwell face off at UFC on FOX 18.

MEDIA STEW

Georges St-Pierre jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Holly Holm does Late Night and the ESPN carwash.

Is Hollywood to blame for Rousey's loss?

UFC fighters arrive in Seoul, South Korea.

Thiago Silva had a tough day at the office.

Free Fight: Jose Aldo vs Chan Sung Jung.

Long watches.

UFC Seoul Care/Don't Care Preview

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Talking Brawls - Mike Winkeljohn : "Holly Holm would fight Cyborg in a heart beat."

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TWEETS

Long week.

Having fun with the girls on set at ESPN. Another fun but full day. Now off to enjoy some turkey and... https://t.co/xWyNwYBADh

— Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) November 25, 2015

Success.

Surgery was successful Thank you all for support Love U guys Operacja przebiegła pomyśl... https://t.co/lnrKvhnj0M pic.twitter.com/H3pJT7QIjK

— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) November 25, 2015

Helpful advice.

@josealdojunior u get a chance to see lamas & I fight sat he used the low right kick to the calve under the knee you should use on CM #works

— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) November 25, 2015

Men in Tights.

Squat.

Hendo teaches the double leg.

Mark your calendar.

Only 11 more months and then we get to see koreanzombiemma fight again! #fangirl #koreanzombie... https://t.co/5SnSeBXWpN

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) November 24, 2015

Dang.

Spinning a medicine ball doing the McGregor pose haha pic.twitter.com/bpzLONnsXi

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) November 25, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 24 2015)

Tecia Torres vs. Michelle Waterson at UFC 194

Josh Barnett vs. Ben Rothwell at UFC on FOX 18

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.