Dana White: ‘I did a really good job’ with Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm booking

Over the last few years alone, the UFC has put up a good number of memorable cards. 2016, for one, saw one of the biggest events in history when the rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor drew in around 1.6 million pay-per-view buys.

Months prior the said event was another blockbuster of a card, when Holly Holm challenged Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title at UFC 193 in November 2015. Holm pulled a massive upset by ending the fight with a highlight reel head kick knockout that pretty much became the catalyst for Rousey’s loss of desire in fighting.

Apparently, it is also Dana White’s proudest moment as a long-time fight promoter.

“I would say my best one is Holly Holm versus Ronda Rousey,” White said in an interview with Tim Robbins (transcript via MMAjunkie). “I did a really good job with that one. When that fight came out the odds were incredibly huge that Ronda was going to win that fight.”

“Nobody gave Holly a chance. I said, ‘Ronda’s never fought anybody like this. Holly striking, her head kicks, her this, her that.’ Even Joe Rogan said, ‘There’s no way Holly Holm wins this fight.’ Not only did we sell the fight, but Holly Holm won the fight.”

As many put into question the UFC’s current matchmaking decisions, White revealed what his own formula is.

“When we put together fights, my job, because everyone is going to have an opinion right away saying, ‘This guy is going to win!’” White explained. “My job is to get you to question who you think is going to win this fight.”

“So I need to gather all the information I can get on both guys and then I need to sell you on why this fight isn’t going to go the way you think it’s going to go.”

Rousey vs. Holm raked in over 1 million pay-per-view buys, and a live gate of $6.77 million.