Holly Holm

Holly Holm: The Former UFC Champion and Legendary Boxer

Holly The Preacher's Daughter Holm, born on October 17, 1981 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the most versatile and successful female fighters in the history of combat sports. A former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and former multi-weight boxing world champion, Holm is known for her exceptional striking, discipline and impressive career in both boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Early Life and Boxing Career

Holm began her combat sports career in kickboxing before transitioning to professional boxing. Growing up in Albuquerque, she took up the sport at a young age, quickly developing into one of the most talented female boxers of her time. Holm became a multiple world champion in boxing, winning titles in several weight classes, including welterweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight.

In her boxing career, Holm was unmatched, with a record of 33 wins, 9 of which were by knockout, and only 2 losses. She was considered one of the best female boxers of all time and was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Switch to MMA and UFC

After her successful boxing career, Holm decided to switch to MMA in 2011, where she combined her striking with newly developed grappling and wrestling skills. Holm began her MMA career with a string of victories and was quickly seen as a future star in the UFC.

Her big break came on November 15, 2015 at UFC 193, where she faced the dominant UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey. Holm shocked the world by defeating Rousey via knockout in the second round to capture the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. The victory is considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

Style and Technique

Holm is known for her excellent striking, which comes from her years of experience in boxing and kickboxing. She is a southpaw fighter and is known for her tactical precision, patience and ability to keep fights at a distance with her strong kicks and jabs. Her head movement and footwork are exceptional, and she is adept at neutralizing her opponents' attacks.

In addition to her striking, Holm has also greatly improved her grappling and defense against takedowns, making her a complete fighter in the MMA world. Her ability to frustrate and control her opponents, both standing and on the ground, makes her a constant threat in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

Later Career and Influence

After her historic victory over Ronda Rousey, Holm lost the belt to Miesha Tate at UFC 196 in March 2016, but remained one of the top fighters in the UFC. She has fought some of the best female fighters in the world, including Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and Amanda Nunes. Although she has not captured the belt since then, Holm remains a fixture at the top of the divisions and is respected for her dedication to the sport.

Influence and Legacy

Holly Holm is a pioneer in the world of female combat sports and an inspiration to boxers and mixed martial artists alike. Her success in both boxing and mixed martial arts has shown that fighters can transfer their skills from one sport to the other, and her knockout victory over Ronda Rousey remains one of the most memorable moments in UFC history.

Conclusion

Holly Holm is one of the greatest female fighters in the history of combat sports. With her impressive performances in both boxing and MMA, she has left a lasting legacy and continues to inspire fighters around the world. Her discipline, technical prowess and determination to succeed make her an icon in the sport.