NBC Ronda Rousey made her first television appearance last night since losing her UFC bantamweight championship, and she started by congratulating Holly Holm on beating her in November.
The 27-year-old former champ made history last night when she became the first mixed martial artist, and only the third female athlete in history to host Saturday Night Live, reports the Daily Mail.
And, despite how outspoken she was prior to her fight with Holm, Rousey kicked off her SNL opening monologue by congratulating her and saying she deserved to win.
@HollyHolm @danawhite @ufc pic.twitter.com/DxNpwHltWn
— Hyperion (@gfmete) January 24, 2016
Rousey said:
This is the first time I’m talking to my fans since I lost to Holly Holm in November, which, by the way, was a fight Holly deserved to win. And I just wanted to take a minute to sincerely congratulate her… now that’s enough!
Ronda Rousey has been pretty quiet since her shocking loss to 6/1 underdog Holm, not least because she was rushed to the hospital in Australia after her defeat.
The SNL appearance was her first foray back into the spotlight and she seemed to have a hell of a time hosting the famous U.S. variety show.
Elsewhere in her monologue, Rousey took aim at Justin Bieber again – cue an appearance from Kate McKinnon’s infamous impersonation of the Canadian popstar/man child.
When in doubt, call in Kate McKinnon's @justinbieber. Right @RondaRousey? #SNL pic.twitter.com/Kfcl8Lg1Sw
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 24, 2016
She also showed us how to best deal with jerk guys, the Ronda Rousey way. You can probably see where this one is going…
Dealing with jerk guys, the @RondaRousey way. #SNL pic.twitter.com/y28D6193bq
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 24, 2016
And, as if a Rousey hosting appearance wasn’t enough, the cold open of SNL featured the return of Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, as the show took aim at Palin’s endorsement of Donald Trump.
Fey as Palin noted she “wanted to take a break from my full-time career of writing things on Facebook” to endorse Trump for U.S. President, and ask for a place in his cabinet – after all, she’s perfect for a cabinet “because I’m full of spice and I’ve got a great rack!”
As for Ronda Rousey, she’s set to film a remake of the cult classic Patrick Swayze movie Road House next, before planning to return to the UFC’s Octagon later this year.
She says she’s only interested in a rematch against Holly Holm, although Holm will have to get past next challenger Miesha Tate first at UFC 197 on March 5 to make that big money fight a reality.
