Holly Holm relates to Rousey: Getting KO'd in boxing was 'life-changing experience'

It's been a long road for Holly Holm. Before making her MMA debut in 2011, the 34-year-old had won multiple titles in boxing. "The Preacher's Daughter" held championships in three separate weight classes, but her success wasn't without struggle.

Holm had suffered two stoppages in her boxing career, losing to Rita Turrisi in 2004 and then suffering a knockout to Anne Sophie Mathis in 2011. The newly crowned UFC women's bantamweight champion, who knocked out Ronda Rousey via head kick at UFC 193, says it takes time to get over such a loss.

"There's a building time for that," Holm said Thursday on Good Day LA. "I hate that I've been on the other end, but I'll tell you it was a life-changing experience for me. I really learned a lot about myself and about other people."

The Albuquerque local rebounded from her KO to Mathis with a unanimous decision victory in the rematch in 2012. After facing a similar situation to "Rowdy", Holm says she's more than willing to grant the Olympic bronze medalist with an immediate rematch.

"You don't be on top for that long [and not want the rematch]," Holm said. "I know for me, I thought if I don't give myself an opportunity for this rematch it's going to bother me the rest of my life."

Rousey had ruled the UFC's bantamweight throne for two years and defended her title six times before losing at last Saturday's PPV in Melbourne, Australia. The 28-year-old had earned all but one of her wins the 1st round and was being hailed as the Mike Tyson of MMA.

Ronda has kept a low profile since the loss but insists that she'll be returning to MMA in the future.

(Transcripts via MMAFighting.com)