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 former mixed martial artist. She gained prominence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she became the Women's Bantamweight Champion. Her background in boxing significantly contributed to her success in MMA.

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. Her amateur kickboxing record finished at 6-0-2.

2005: Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year

In 2005, Holly Holm was named Ring Magazine's female Fighter of the Year for her achievements in boxing.

2006: Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year

In 2006, Holly Holm was again named Ring Magazine's female Fighter of the Year, marking her second consecutive win.

June 2008: Undisputed Welterweight Champion

In June 2008, Holly Holm became the undisputed welterweight champion by defeating Mary Jo Sanders, holding belts from 140 to 154.

October 17, 2008: Draw in Sanders Rematch

On October 17, 2008, Holly Holm had a rematch with Mary Jo Sanders at the Palace of Auburn Hills, 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.

September 9, 2011: Victory over Jan Finney

On September 9, 2011, Holly Holm defeated 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. It 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 defeated Anne Sophie Mathis by unanimous decision, winning Mathis's WBF female, IBA female, and WBAN welterweight titles and 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 via TKO in the second round.

May 11, 2013: Boxing Retirement Bout

On May 11, 2013, Holly Holm announced her retirement from boxing after her match against Mary McGee. Holm defeated McGee via unanimous decision.

July 19, 2013: Victory over Allanna Jones

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

October 11, 2013: Victory over Nikki Knudsen

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 in the second round.

December 6, 2013: Victory over Angela Hayes

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

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

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

July 10, 2014: Signs with UFC

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

July 15, 2015: Victory over Marion Reneau

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

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

On November 14, 2015, Holly Holm faced Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. Holm won the fight via knockout in the second round, ending Rousey's undefeated streak. Rousey was hospitalized after the fight.

November 15, 2015: UFC 193: Holm defeats Rousey

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

January 2, 2016: Originally scheduled to face Ronda Rousey

Holly Holm was originally scheduled to face Ronda Rousey on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195 before the fight was moved to November 14, 2015.

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

On March 5, 2016, Holly Holm lost her first title defense to Miesha Tate in the fifth round at UFC 196 via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke. Holm was rendered unconscious.

July 23, 2016: Loss to Valentina Shevchenko

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

2016: Appearance in 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 via unanimous decision. De Randamie threw punches after the horn sounded at the end of the second and third rounds, leading to controversy. Holm's appeal was denied by NYSAC.

June 17, 2017: Victory over Bethe Correia

On June 17, 2017, Holly Holm faced Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia in Singapore, winning via knockout in the third round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus award. This victory set up a bout against Cris Cyborg.

December 30, 2017: Loss to Cris Cyborg at UFC 219

On December 30, 2017, Holly Holm challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 219, losing via unanimous decision but earning a Fight of the Night bonus.

June 9, 2018: Victory over Megan Anderson

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

January 31, 2019: Fight against Aspen Ladd Cancelled

On January 31, 2019, it was reported that Holly Holm's scheduled bantamweight bout against Aspen Ladd on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235 was no longer taking place.

March 2, 2019: Fight against Aspen Ladd Cancelled

On March 2, 2019, Holly Holm's scheduled bantamweight bout against Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 did not take place as announced on January 31, 2019.

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 via technical knockout in round one.

October 6, 2019: Withdrawal from Raquel Pennington Fight

On October 6, 2019, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 243 but withdrew due to a hamstring injury.

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

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

August 1, 2020: Irene Aldana Withdraws From Fight

On August 1, 2020, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan, but Aldana withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19.

October 4, 2020: Victory over 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 Julianna Peña Fight

On May 8, 2021, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Julianna Peña at UFC on ESPN 24 but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to hydronephrosis.

October 16, 2021: Withdrawal from Norma Dumont Fight

On October 16, 2021, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 195 but withdrew from the bout 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, losing the fight via controversial split decision.

2022: Signs New UFC Contract

In late 2022, Holly Holm signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC.

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

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

July 15, 2023: UFC on ESPN 49

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

October 2023: Fight Result Overturned

In 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: UFC 300 Fight

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: Release from 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: GFL 1 Event Cancellation

On May 24, 2025, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Julia Budd at GFL 1, but all GFL events were cancelled 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.