Career Timeline of Holly Holm: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Holly Holm built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Holly Holm is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist, most notably known for her career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She competed in the women's Bantamweight division, where she achieved the title of Women's Bantamweight Champion. Her background in boxing contributed to her striking prowess in mixed martial arts, making her a significant figure in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

September 2001: IKF USA National Amateur Championship

In September 2001, Holly Holm won the International Rules Adult Women's Welterweight Division championship title at the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. She won her first bout by technical knockout and the second by unanimous decision, marking her last amateur competition.

June 2008: Undisputed Welterweight Champion

In June 2008, Holly Holm became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision.

October 17, 2008: Rematch Against Mary Jo Sanders Ends in Draw

On October 17, 2008, Holly Holm had a rematch against Mary Jo Sanders at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, which ended in a draw.

March 4, 2011: MMA Debut

On March 4, 2011, Holly Holm made her mixed martial arts debut against Christina Domke, winning via TKO in the second round due to leg kicks.

September 9, 2011: Victory against Jan Finney

On September 9, 2011, Holly Holm defeated Strikeforce veteran Jan Finney by TKO in the third round at Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage.

December 2, 2011: Loss to Anne Sophie Mathis

On December 2, 2011, Holly Holm faced Anne Sophie Mathis for the vacant IBA female and WBAN welterweight titles, losing by knockout in the 7th round. The fight was dubbed the upset of the year in women's boxing.

June 15, 2012: Victory Over Anne Sophie Mathis

On June 15, 2012, Holly Holm fought Anne Sophie Mathis again, winning by unanimous decision and claiming Mathis's WBF female, IBA female, and WBAN welterweight titles, avenging her earlier loss.

February 28, 2013: Bellator MMA Debut

On February 28, 2013, Holly Holm made her Bellator MMA debut against Katie Merrill at Bellator 91 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, winning the bout via TKO in the second round.

May 11, 2013: Boxing Retirement Bout

On May 11, 2013, Holly Holm defeated Mary McGee via unanimous decision in what was announced as her boxing retirement bout, allowing her to fully concentrate on her MMA career.

July 19, 2013: Victory at Legacy Fighting Championship 21

On July 19, 2013, Holly Holm faced Allanna Jones at Legacy Fighting Championship 21, winning the fight by head-kick knockout in the second round.

October 11, 2013: Victory Over Nikki Knudsen at Legacy Fighting Championship 24

On October 11, 2013, Holly Holm faced Nikki Knudsen at Legacy Fighting Championship 24 after Erica Paes was removed from the card. Holm won the fight via TKO due to a body kick and knees in round two.

December 6, 2013: Victory Over Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc

On December 6, 2013, Holly Holm faced Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

April 4, 2014: Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship

On April 4, 2014, Holly Holm faced Juliana Werner for the inaugural Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship, winning the bout and title via TKO in the fifth round despite breaking her left arm during the first round.

July 10, 2014: Signs with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

On July 10, 2014, it was announced that Holly Holm had signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), with a contract for five fights.

July 15, 2015: Victory Over Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 71

On July 15, 2015, Holly Holm faced Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 71, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

November 14, 2015: Victory Against Ronda Rousey at UFC 193

On November 14, 2015, Holly Holm faced Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 and won by knockout in the second round, ending Rousey's undefeated streak and reign as champion.

November 15, 2015: UFC 193: Holm vs Rousey

On November 15, 2015, at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey to capture the bantamweight title. This marked Rousey's first loss in the sport and is considered one of the biggest upsets in combat-sports history.

January 2, 2016: Originally Scheduled Fight at UFC 195

On January 2, 2016, Holly Holm was originally scheduled to face Ronda Rousey at UFC 195, but the bout was moved forward due to an injury.

March 5, 2016: Loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196

On March 5, 2016, Holly Holm lost her title defense against Miesha Tate in the fifth round at UFC 196 via rear-naked choke, resulting in a technical submission.

July 23, 2016: Loss to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 20

On July 23, 2016, Holly Holm faced Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 20 and lost the bout via unanimous decision.

2016: Appeared in the film Fight Valley

In 2016, Holly Holm appeared in the feature film Fight Valley alongside Miesha Tate and Cris Cyborg.

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February 11, 2017: Loss to Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208

On February 11, 2017, Holly Holm faced Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208 for the inaugural UFC Women's Featherweight Championship and lost the fight via unanimous decision, amidst controversy over late punches.

June 17, 2017: Victory Over Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night

On June 17, 2017, Holly Holm faced Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia in Singapore and won the fight via knockout in the third round. This earned Holm her second Performance of the Night bonus award.

December 30, 2017: Challenges Cris Cyborg for UFC Featherweight Championship

On December 30, 2017, Holly Holm challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 219 and lost the fight via unanimous decision, though the fight earned her a Fight of the Night bonus.

June 9, 2018: Victory Over Megan Anderson at UFC 225

On June 9, 2018, Holly Holm faced Megan Anderson at UFC 225 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

January 31, 2019: Fight Against Aspen Ladd Cancelled

On January 31, 2019, it was reported that the bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd, scheduled for March 2, 2019, at UFC 235, was no longer taking place.

March 2, 2019: Cancelled Bout Against Aspen Ladd

On March 2, 2019, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Aspen Ladd in a bantamweight bout at UFC 235, but the fight was cancelled.

July 6, 2019: Loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 239

On July 6, 2019, Holly Holm faced Amanda Nunes for the Women's bantamweight championship at UFC 239 and lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

October 6, 2019: Scheduled Fight Against Raquel Pennington Cancelled

On October 6, 2019, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 243, but withdrew due to a hamstring injury, leading to the bout's cancellation.

January 18, 2020: Victory Over Raquel Pennington at UFC 246

On January 18, 2020, Holly Holm faced Raquel Pennington at UFC 246 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

August 1, 2020: Scheduled Fight Against Irene Aldana Postponed

On August 1, 2020, Holly Holm was originally scheduled to face Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Night, but the fight was postponed after Aldana tested positive for COVID-19.

October 4, 2020: Victory Against Irene Aldana at UFC on ESPN

On October 4, 2020, Holly Holm faced Irene Aldana at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

May 8, 2021: Withdrawal from Fight Against Julianna Peña

On May 8, 2021, Holly Holm was forced to withdraw from her scheduled bout against Julianna Peña at UFC on ESPN 24, citing hydronephrosis.

October 16, 2021: Withdrawal from Fight Against Norma Dumont

On October 16, 2021, Holly Holm withdrew from her scheduled featherweight bout against Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 195 due to a knee injury.

May 21, 2022: Loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 206

On May 21, 2022, Holly Holm faced Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 206 and lost the fight via controversial split decision.

2022: Signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC

In late 2022, Holly Holm signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC, having one bout left on her prevailing contract.

March 25, 2023: Defeated Yana Santos at UFC on ESPN 43

On March 25, 2023, Holly Holm fought Yana Santos at UFC on ESPN 43 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

July 15, 2023: Lost to Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC on ESPN 49

On July 15, 2023, Holly Holm faced Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC on ESPN 49, replacing an injured Miesha Tate. She lost the fight via ninja choke in the second round.

October 2023: Bout with Bueno Silva Overturned

In mid-October 2023, Holly Holm's bout against Mayra Bueno Silva was overturned to a No Contest after Bueno Silva was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a positive pre-fight test.

April 13, 2024: Lost to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300

On April 13, 2024, Holly Holm faced Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 and lost the fight due to a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

January 13, 2025: Released by the UFC

On January 13, 2025, Holly Holm was released by the UFC at her request.

May 2025: Signs with Most Valuable Promotions

In May 2025, Holly Holm signed with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

May 24, 2025: Scheduled Fight Canceled

On May 24, 2025, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Julia Budd in the inaugural Global Fight League event at GFL 1. However, all GFL events were canceled indefinitely.

June 28, 2025: Boxing Return Against Yolanda Ochoa

On June 28, 2025, Holly Holm returned to boxing in a 10-round lightweight bout against Yolanda Ochoa in Anaheim, California, winning by unanimous decision.

August 30, 2025: Lost to Alejandra Rivera at RAF 01

On August 30, 2025, Holly Holm received an exemption and competed at RAF 01, where she lost by decision to Alejandra Rivera.

January 3, 2026: Challenges Stephanie Han for WBA Title

On January 3, 2026, Holly Holm challenged Stephanie Han for the WBA female lightweight title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but lost by unanimous technical decision due to a cut caused by an accidental clash of heads.