Holly Holm

Holly Holm is an American mixed martial artist and former professional boxer who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is widely recognised for her decorated boxing career and for one of the most consequential upsets in mixed martial arts history, when she knocked out the previously undefeated Ronda Rousey to capture the UFC women's bantamweight title in 2015. Known by the nickname "The Preacher's Daughter," Holm built a reputation as a precise, disciplined striker across two combat sports and is regarded as one of the few athletes to reach an elite level in both boxing and MMA.

Early life

Holm was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she remained based throughout her athletic career. She came to combat sports through fitness and kickboxing classes before transitioning into competitive boxing. She trained for much of her career under coach Mike Winkeljohn at the Albuquerque gym associated with Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson, a partnership that shaped her technical, footwork-oriented style. Her background in kickboxing and boxing emphasised range, movement, and counter-striking, traits that would later define her approach in mixed martial arts.

Career

Before entering mixed martial arts, Holm established herself as one of the leading figures in women's professional boxing. She won world titles in multiple weight classes and was named a fighter of the year by boxing publications during her run, compiling a strong professional record and earning recognition as one of the sport's premier female boxers of her era. Her boxing success gave her a high profile in combat sports even before her transition to the cage.

Holm moved to mixed martial arts and signed with the UFC, where her striking translated effectively to the new discipline. At UFC 193 in November 2015, she challenged champion Ronda Rousey, who had dominated the division and was widely considered unbeatable. Holm used movement and counter-striking to frustrate Rousey before landing a head-kick knockout in the second round, an outcome regarded as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history and a defining moment for women's MMA. The victory made her a global name and brought mainstream attention to the sport.

After losing the title in her first defence, Holm remained a fixture among the top contenders in the bantamweight division for years, facing many of the division's leading fighters in title eliminators and main events. Her durability and longevity kept her ranked highly well into her career, and she repeatedly shared the cage with the best fighters of her generation.

Later career and legacy

Holm's career is notable for sustained success across two combat sports, a path few athletes have managed at an elite level. Her win over Rousey is frequently cited in discussions of landmark moments in mixed martial arts, and her counter-striking approach influenced how analysts discussed matchups in the women's divisions. She continued to compete as a veteran presence in the UFC, balancing her status as a former champion with repeated appearances against top-ranked opponents. Off the mat, she is closely associated with her home city of Albuquerque, where her career and training base have remained tied to the local combat-sports community, and she is regarded as a pioneering figure in the growth of women's mixed martial arts.