Holly Holm’s Career Revival
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm is experiencing a career revival, particularly since joining Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Following MVP’s successful MMA debut featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, opportunities for Holm appear to be expanding significantly.
Return to Boxing
Before transitioning to MMA in 2011, Holm solidified her legacy as one of boxing’s greats. She has recently returned to her boxing roots, achieving a unanimous decision victory against Yolanda Vega in June under the MVP brand. This upcoming Saturday, Holm will face WBA lightweight champion Stephanie Han in a rematch in El Paso, Texas, after their first bout concluded prematurely due to an accidental cut on Han.
Potential Matchup with Katie Taylor
A victory for Holm could set the stage for a highly anticipated matchup against the esteemed Katie Taylor, who is expected to be fighting for the last time later this year. During an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Holm expressed her enthusiasm for the potential bout:
“I want to make a statement this Saturday because a fight like that would be amazing. With my Irish heritage, there was talk of this fight even before I ventured into MMA. It’s something that could come full circle. We’ll see.”
She acknowledges the massive appeal of a Taylor showdown, though she is only focused on her next fight for now.
Reflections on Ronda Rousey
At 44, Holly Holm is most famously known for her historic victory over Ronda Rousey in 2015, a fight that remains etched in combat sports history. Holm didn’t expect Rousey to mount a comeback after their encounter, particularly as Rousey had been one of the dominant figures in women’s mixed martial arts before her departure. However, Holm was not surprised by Rousey’s quick victory via armbar in her recent fight:
“There’s always that hunger in a champion to return,”
Holm reflected, underscoring the tenacity of fighters who have experienced championship glory.
Desire for a Rematch
Although Holm and Rousey are now linked through their past showdown, Holm explains that she was openly willing to consider a rematch right after their initial fight; she was not willing to sit idly while waiting for Rousey to decide on her next steps:
“I’ve always said I’d be ready for a rematch. But I wanted to continue fighting, and it was over a year after our match that she returned against Amanda Nunes.”
Future Prospects
Rousey has since emphasized that her fight against Carano was her last, focusing instead on expanding her family with husband Travis Browne. Still, there are whispers of a potential return for Carano, who remains a respected figure in the MMA community and might consider another fight down the line. Holm finds the idea compelling, saying:
“I’ve always wanted to see Gina get more opportunities in the ring; the respect is mutual between us.”
Despite her lengthy career — spanning 25 years of professional competition — Holm recognizes she is nearing the end, though she isn’t rushing into retirement:
“I’m not planning to fight forever, hopefully just for another year or so. I know I have more big fights left in me.”
She affirmed, focusing first on the immediate challenge ahead against Han, which could open even more exciting opportunities in her already illustrious career.
