Embattled head trainer for Ronda Rousey responds to her mother's latest verbal attack: 'It doesn't really matter' (UPDATED)

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UPDATE 1: TMZ was accused of not talking to the real Edmond Tarverdyan, but rather a parody Twitter account of the embattled combat sports trainer, who celebrated his troll job with a follow-up photo of the conversation.

@FrontRowBrian pic.twitter.com/0Bnrm5KNOW

— Edmund Tarverdyan (@EddieTarverdyan) February 2, 2016

UPDATE 2: TMZ is sticking with its original story and insists it spoke to Tarverdyan by way of telephone.

For the record, I talked to Edmond at GFC this afternoon That phone convo's what TMZ Sports story's based off. Nothing else @eddietarverdyan

— keith jackson (@KeithKjbucket) February 2, 2016

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Edmond Tarverdyan remains under siege from numerous critics who blasted his handling and preparation of Ronda Rousey in the wake of her stunning knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Nov. 2015. The embattled head trainer of the former women's Bantamweight champion hasn't necessarily helped repair his image much since, claiming "Rowdy" didn't get outclassed on the feet (she clearly did) and was just dazed for most of the match because her bell was rung early.

Bankruptcy and falsifying a California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) application didn't help matters, either.

His most vocal detractor, of course, remains Dr. AnnMaria De Mars, who is Rousey's mother. The former Judo world champion has blasted Tarverdyan numerous times before and after Rousey's loss to Holm. And she did it again earlier this week, branding Tarverdyan a "fraud" and hoping that he lands in jail.

Tarverdyan today responded to her latest verbal assault (via TMZ Sports):

"It's just her opinion. I'm just here to train Ronda and it really doesn't matter. Ronda knows who I am. I am her trainer and that's really about it."

It is, indeed, just an opinion; however, Tarverdyan clearly has to consider the significance of the source. Not to mention the frequency of the opinion. For now, Rousey remains on the fence, keeping Tarverdyan in her corner and her concerned mother in her good graces.

But, it seems like something will eventually have to give. And one has to wonder if her upcoming rematch with Holm, which is expected to happen sometime in 2016 after she satisfies a well-deserved break from competition, will ultimately compel Rousey to pick one influence over the other.

That kinda' matters, even if nothing changes.