Holly Holm, former UFC champion and boxing Hall of Famer, has officially parted ways with the UFC, marking the end of an era in women’s mixed martial arts. The 43-year-old veteran, known for her spectacular head kick knockout of Ronda Rousey in 2015, has been granted a release from her contract and will now explore free agency.
Breaking:
Holly Holm has parted ways with the UFC and is now a free agent.
She had two fights left on her deal, asked to explore other opportunities and the UFC obliged.
She plans on continuing to fight and is open to MMA or boxing, her long-time agent Lenny Fresquez tells…
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 14, 2025
The End of a UFC Chapter
Holm’s departure from the UFC comes after a career filled with highs and lows. Her upset victory over Rousey at UFC 193 remains one of the most iconic moments in MMA history, catapulting her to stardom overnight. However, her reign as champion was short-lived, losing the title to Miesha Tate just four months later.
Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm pic.twitter.com/BzvYzdcjqY
— MMA Gone Wild🥋 (@mmagonewild) November 14, 2019
Despite never recapturing the bantamweight title, Holm remained a formidable contender in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. Her UFC tenure saw her compete for titles multiple times, facing off against the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie, Cris Cyborg, and Amanda Nunes.
Holm’s final UFC appearance came at the landmark UFC 300 event in April 2024, where she suffered a second-round submission loss to two-time Olympic gold medalist and PFL champion Kayla Harrison. This defeat, coupled with a no-contest result against Mayra Bueno Silva due to the latter’s failed drug test, seemingly influenced Holm’s decision to seek new opportunities outside the promotion.
A New Chapter Begins
As Holm enters free agency, the combat sports world buzzes with speculation about her next move. With an illustrious boxing career that includes 16 title defenses across three weight classes, Holm could potentially return to the squared circle. Her induction into both the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame underscores her legendary status in the sport.
One intriguing possibility is a boxing match against Cris Cyborg, whom Holm faced in the UFC. Cyborg, the current Bellator champion, has also ventured into boxing recently, making this potential matchup an exciting prospect for fans of both sports.
Holm’s journey in MMA began in 2011 in her native New Mexico, where she quickly rose through the ranks, capturing the Legacy FC title before joining the UFC. Her transition from boxing to MMA was seamless, with victories over future champion Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau paving the way for her historic title shot against Rousey.
As Holm embarks on this new phase of her career, her legacy in both MMA and boxing is secure. Her knockout of Rousey not only earned her Knockout of the Year honors but also solidified her status as a true crossover star in combat sports.
The MMA landscape has changed significantly since Holm’s UFC debut, with new promotions and opportunities emerging for fighters. Whether she chooses to continue in MMA, return to boxing, or pursue a combination of both, Holm’s next move will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
As we bid farewell to Holly Holm’s UFC career, we’re reminded of the indelible mark she’s left on the sport. From her historic upset to her consistent presence in title contention, Holm has been a cornerstone of women’s MMA. While her UFC chapter may be closing, the “Preacher’s Daughter” has proven time and again that she’s capable of reinventing herself. As she steps into free agency, the combat sports world eagerly awaits to see what Holly Holm will do next.
