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 mixed martial artist and former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. She competed in the women's Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
September 2001: IKF USA National Amateur Championship
In September 2001, Holly Holm won the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, marking the end of her amateur kickboxing career with a record of 6-0-2.
2005: Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
In 2005, Holly Holm was named Ring magazine fighter of the year, recognizing her achievements as a professional boxer.
2006: Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
In 2006, Holly Holm was again named Ring magazine fighter of the year, marking her second consecutive win of the award for her achievements in boxing.
June 2008: Undisputed Welterweight Champion
In June 2008, Holly Holm became the undisputed welterweight champion, holding belts from 140 to 154 after defeating former champion Mary Jo Sanders by decision.
October 17, 2008: Rematch with Mary Jo Sanders Ends in a Draw
On October 17, 2008, Holly Holm's rematch against Mary Jo Sanders at the Palace of Auburn Hills 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 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 IBA and WBAN welterweight titles and lost by knockout in the 7th round, in what was called an upset of the year.
June 15, 2012: Holm Defeats Mathis in Rematch
On June 15, 2012, Holly Holm avenged her earlier loss by defeating Anne Sophie Mathis in a rematch, winning Mathis's WBF, IBA, and WBAN welterweight titles by unanimous decision.
February 28, 2013: Bellator MMA Debut
On February 28, 2013, Holly Holm made her Bellator MMA debut against Katie Merrill at Bellator 91, winning 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 her boxing retirement bout, allowing her to focus on MMA.
July 19, 2013: Victory at Legacy Fighting Championship 21
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: TKO Win Against Nikki Knudsen
On October 11, 2013, Holly Holm faced Nikki Knudsen at Legacy Fighting Championship 24, winning the fight via TKO due to a body kick and knees in round two.
December 6, 2013: Victory Over Angela Hayes
On December 6, 2013, Holly Holm faced Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc and won the fight via unanimous decision.
April 4, 2014: Legacy FC Championship Win
On April 4, 2014, Holly Holm defeated Juliana Werner for the inaugural Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship via TKO in the fifth round, also breaking her left arm during the first round.
July 10, 2014: UFC Contract Signing
On July 10, 2014, it was announced that Holly Holm had signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), with her contract specifying five fights.
July 15, 2015: Victory Against Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 71
On July 15, 2015, Holly Holm faced Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 71 and won the fight by unanimous decision.
November 14, 2015: Defeats Ronda Rousey at UFC 193
On November 14, 2015, Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, winning via knockout in the second round with a high kick. This ended Rousey's undefeated streak and reign as champion, and is considered a significant upset.
November 15, 2015: UFC Bantamweight Championship Win
On November 15, 2015, at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey to win the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship, marking Rousey's first loss and one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
January 2, 2016: Scheduled Fight at UFC 195
On January 2, 2016, Holly Holm was initially scheduled to face Ronda Rousey at UFC 195. The fight was moved earlier to November 14, 2015, at UFC 193 due to a bout shuffle.
March 5, 2016: Loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196
On March 5, 2016, at UFC 196, Holly Holm lost her first title defense against Miesha Tate in the fifth round via rear-naked choke.
July 23, 2016: Loss to Valentina Shevchenko
On July 23, 2016, Holly Holm faced Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 20 and lost the bout via unanimous decision.
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 amidst controversy over late punches.
June 17, 2017: Knockout Victory Over Bethe Correia
On June 17, 2017, Holly Holm faced Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night in Singapore and won via knockout in the third round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
December 30, 2017: UFC Featherweight Championship Challenge
On December 30, 2017, Holly Holm challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 219 and lost via unanimous decision, earning 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 with Aspen Ladd Canceled
On January 31, 2019, the scheduled bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 was reported to be no longer taking place.
March 2, 2019: Scheduled Fight at UFC 235
On March 2, 2019, Holly Holm was expected to face Aspen Ladd in a bantamweight bout at UFC 235, but the pairing was canceled.
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: Withdrawal from UFC 243
On October 6, 2019, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 243, but she withdrew from the bout 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 and won the fight via unanimous decision.
August 1, 2020: Scheduled Fight Cancellation
On August 1, 2020, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Night, but Aldana withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19.
October 4, 2020: Holm Defeats Aldana at UFC on ESPN
On October 4, 2020, Holly Holm defeated Irene Aldana by a unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.
May 8, 2021: Withdrawal from UFC on ESPN 24
On May 8, 2021, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Julianna Peña at UFC on ESPN 24, but she was forced to withdraw due to hydronephrosis.
October 16, 2021: Withdrawal from UFC Fight Night 195
On October 16, 2021, Holly Holm was scheduled to face Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 195, but she withdrew 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: 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: Loss to Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC on ESPN 49
On July 15, 2023, Holly Holm faced Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC on ESPN 49 and lost the fight via ninja choke in the second round.
October 2023: Bout Overturned to No Contest
In mid-October 2023, Holly Holm's July 15th bout against Mayra Bueno Silva was overturned to a No Contest after Bueno Silva's suspension for a positive pre-fight test.
April 13, 2024: Loss 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: Release from UFC
On January 13, 2025, Holly Holm was released by the UFC at her request.
