What is Next For Holly Holm?

Holly Holm is a pioneer for women’s MMA. She is one of the most decorated fighters to have ever stepped in the octagon. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ had an illustrious career as a boxer, becoming a multiple-time world champion across many federations.

She has been named the female fighter of the year by Ring magazine twice, first in 2005, and then the following year in 2006. As a professional boxer with 38 fights under her name, her record was an impressive 32 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws.

Holm then switched over to the sport of mixed martial arts. She made her debut in the UFC at UFC 184 in February 2015 against Raquel Pennington. She won her debut fight via split decision, following it up by a unanimous decision win over Marion Reneau. The two wins in the UFC made way for a title shot against the then-dominant champion, Ronda Rousey.

What is next for the former champion?

Holm has always been in and around the title picture at both featherweight and bantamweight. She has fought for both belts on a few occasions. However, she has come up short against the likes of Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes, who are considered among the greatest female MMA fighters in the world.

After a few fights with results swinging both ways, Holm is now on a two-fight win streak after beating Raquel Pennington and Irene Aldana.

Holm looked sharp against challenger Irene Aldana, who was on an impressive two-fight win streak. Holly turned back the clock as she put on a masterclass in striking. Her punches during the fight were crisp, with good combinations and deadly accuracy. She landed 187 total strikes with a 55% accuracy. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ also landed 154 significant strikes at a 51% accuracy. 

Holly Holm makes a compelling case for a title shot

Holly secured a takedown in each of the rounds, and there was no question that she dominated the fight as she won via unanimous decision. At 38, she is on the older side, but the performance against Aldana has proved that she has a lot of fight left in her. Amanda Nunes is the current bantamweight champion and is someone Holm has faced before and come up short against. 

Holly makes a compelling case for a re-match against the bantamweight queen, given the performances she has had and how good she has looked. However, given that this year Amanda Nunes will defend her featherweight title, a re-match against Germaine de Randamie can be an option. Randamie looked good against Pena. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for Holm to avenge her loss.

Nonetheless, surely a title fight or a number one contender fight should be next for Holm, who is a true great of the sport.

Read: Aljamain Sterling, Mike Perry, and other fighters impressed with Holly Holm’s victory over Irene Aldana