UFC news: Holly Holm 'possible' to defend title before Ronda Rousey rematch, says Dana White

Women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm could entertain a fight before her much-awaited rematch against previously unbeaten champ Ronda Rousey, according to UFC President Dana White.

White has yet to confirm the next fight for the undisputed women’s bantamweight champion Holm following her stunning victory over Rousey in November. According to White, it is “possible” Holm could take on another fighter before her much-anticipated rematch although negotiations for the champ’s next fight has not started yet.

“I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do,” White told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times. “We have nothing done yet. We have a lot of work to do."

White originally aimed to have Holm-Rousey II at UFC 200 in July but nothing has been finalised yet, which means there is a chance the “Preacher’s Daughter” could take on a different opponent early this year. Holm’s manager, Lenny Fresquez, revealed last year that he would like his fighter to defend her title against top-ranked contender Miesha Tate to stay active while waiting for Rousey to be ready.

Holm, who surprised the MMA world after knocking Rousey out cold in the second round of their fight in Melbourne, inked a multiyear extension with UFC, according to Brett Okamoto of ESPN. Fresquez did not disclose details of the Holm’s new deal, but the extension is believed to be for eight fights.

"We have officially signed a multiyear extension with the UFC," Fresquez told ESPN. "That's all I can verify right now. We've signed an extension and we're very happy with the extension."

The 34-year-old undefeated champ originally signed with UFC in July 2014 and made her promotional debut in February 2015 at UFC 184, where she defeated Raquel Pennington.