Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm, 43, has decided to part ways with the UFC and enter free agency to pursue new opportunities in MMA and boxing.
Holm, renowned not only for her remarkable achievements in the UFC but also for her illustrious boxing career, had fights remaining on her contract. However, she requested to be released, a plea that was granted. According to her agent, Lenny Fresquez, Holm is now poised to venture into different avenues within combat sports.
You may recall Holm’s significant impact on the MMA landscape. She shattered conventions nearly nine years ago when she pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by knocking out the heavily favoured Ronda Rousey with a stunning head kick at UFC 193. This victory not only earned her the title of women’s 135-pound champion but also marked the first loss of Rousey’s illustrious career.
However, her reign as champion was short-lived, as Holm lost the title to Miesha Tate just four months later. Since then, Holm has had a challenging path, experiencing a 2-5 slump against elite competitors, including Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie, Cris Cyborg, and Amanda Nunes. Holm’s recent losses, including a second-round submission defeat to two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison at UFC 300, further punctuate the difficulties she faced in the latter stages of her UFC career.
Despite the recent setbacks, Holm’s achievements in the world of combat sports are nearly unparalleled. With a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 7 losses, as well as a successful boxing tenure that includes 16 title defences across three weight divisions, you can appreciate why she is regarded as one of the most decorated women’s boxers in history. Her accolades feature two recognitions as Female Fighter of the Year from The Ring magazine, and her induction into both the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022 solidifies her legacy.
As Holm navigates her free agency, potential boxing opportunities could arise against notable figures such as Cris Cyborg, who has also made waves in the boxing sphere after their previous showdown in the UFC. With her extensive experience and legacy, Holm will undoubtedly attract attention as she launches on this new chapter in her career.
For aficionados of both MMA and boxing, you can look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for Holly Holm as she seeks to carve out her next path in competitive sports.
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