Should Holly Holm Retire From the UFC if She Loses at UFC Fight Night This Weekend?

Former bantamweight champion Holly Holm headlines her sixth UFC main event when she fights on October 3, 2020. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ will face off against game challenger Irene Aldana at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi. Chiefly, the victor of the fight will propel themselves within proximity of a 135-pound title shot against the divisional queen.

Amanda Nunes has maintained a stranglehold over two divisions in the UFC and has exerted unmatched ferocity and dominance. What’s more, she has soundly beaten Holly Holm in the past, when the two met back at UFC 239. Holly will be keen to put on a striking clinic that she’s been shown to be capable of in the past.

Is it time to hang up the gloves for Holly Holm?

The 13-5 women’s MMA veteran has fought the who’s-who in the sport, and her resume speaks for itself. However, given her record in big match-ups as of late, it’s hard not to question if she’s still championship caliber. The 38-year-old had additionally had a storied boxing career. Her transition to MMA will merely be another footnote in her illustrious journey.

Holly Holm is now 1-6 when facing championship fighters and hasn’t been able to replicate her success from the Ronda Rousey match-up. Following her decimation of Ronda, fans expected Holm to be the new long-reigning queen. However, fighters like Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko have usurped her position.

Holly Holm will have to be wary of going into her fight with Irene Aldana, as another loss could truly spell the end. Although she is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Raquel Pennington, the pressure has mounted on Holm’s shoulders. The trajectory of her career, should she suffer another loss, will depend entirely on the way she’s defeated.

Holm’s counter ability has always been a defining factor in her bouts. If she cannot play to her countering strengths and thus suffers a vicious KO/TKO loss, definite introspection will be in order. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter‘ will certainly have to be on the lookout for Aldana’s lethal striking and strength. She is coming off a defining KO performance against fellow game fighter, Ketlen Vieira.

Holly Holm’s run towards championship gold will certainly go through Aldana. Irene is part of the new breed of women’s athletes and a win over her would prove that the 38-year-old still has plenty of gas in the tank.