Holly Holm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holly Holm
Holly Holm at UFC 246
Born	Holly Rene Holm (1981-10-17) October 17, 1981 (age 43) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Other names	The Preacher's Daughter
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	135 lb (61 kg)
Division	Bantamweight (MMA) Featherweight (MMA) Light Welterweight (Boxing) Welterweight (Boxing and Kickboxing) Light Middleweight (Boxing)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Style	Boxing
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Team	Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2007–present) AKKA Karate USA (2000–2007)
Trainer	Mike Winkeljohn (Boxing, Kickboxing) Greg Jackson (MMA) Israel Martinez (Wrestling) Rafael "Barata" Freitas (BJJ)
Rank	Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto "Tussa" Alencar
Years active	2011–2024 (MMA) 2002–2013; 2025-present (Boxing) 2001–2003 (Kickboxing)
Professional boxing record
Total	39
Wins	34
By knockout	9
Losses	2
By knockout	2
Draws	3
Kickboxing record
Total	22
Wins	14
Losses	1
By knockout	1
Draws	7
Mixed martial arts record
Total	23
Wins	15
By knockout	8
By decision	7
Losses	7
By knockout	1
By submission	2
By decision	4
No contests	1
Other information
University	University of New Mexico
Spouse	Jeff Kirkpatrick ​ ​ (m. 2012; div. 2019)​
Notable school(s)	Manzano High School

Holly Rene Holm, born on October 17, 1981, is an American athlete who has been a professional boxer and a former mixed martial artist. She used to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the women's Bantamweight division, where she was once the champion.

In boxing, Holly won many world championships and defended her titles 18 times across three different weight classes. Ring magazine named her "Fighter of the Year" twice, in 2005 and 2006. BoxRec ranks her as the second greatest female professional boxer of all time.

Holly's most famous win in mixed martial arts (MMA) happened at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015. She won the bantamweight title by defeating Ronda Rousey, who had never lost before. This fight is seen as one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history. Holly is the only fighter to have won a major world title in both professional boxing and mixed martial arts.

Early Life and Training

Holly Holm was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the youngest of three children. Her father, Roger, is a preacher, which is why Holly was nicknamed "The Preacher's Daughter" when she became a fighter. Her mother, Tammy, works as a massage therapist.

When she was younger, Holly enjoyed playing soccer and taking part in gymnastics, swimming, and diving. She finished Manzano High School in 2000. After high school, she studied for a year at the University of New Mexico.

Holly started her journey into boxing and kickboxing when she was 16. She took aerobics classes, and her instructor, Mike Winkeljohn, saw her talent. He then began training her to become a fighter.

Amateur Kickboxing Success

In September 2001, Holly won a championship title at the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament. She won both of her fights in the tournament. Her first win was a quick technical knockout, and her second was a clear decision. This was Holly's last amateur competition. Her amateur kickboxing record was 6 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws.

Professional Boxing Career

Holly Holm has held several welterweight boxing titles. Many people consider her one of the best female welterweight boxers ever. She was named Ring Magazine Female Fighter of the Year in both 2005 and 2006. She was very popular in her hometown of Albuquerque, where almost all of her fights took place.

In June 2008, she became the undisputed welterweight champion by beating Mary Jo Sanders. They had a rematch in October 2008, which ended in a draw.

On December 2, 2011, Holly fought Anne Sophie Mathis from France. Holly lost this fight by knockout in the seventh round. This was a big upset in women's boxing. They fought again on June 15, 2012. This time, Holly won by a clear decision, getting revenge for her earlier loss and becoming the new champion.

Return to Boxing

Holly Holm signed with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in May 2025. She returned to boxing on June 28, 2025, in Anaheim, California. She fought Yolanda Ochoa, who had never lost a fight before. Holly won the fight by a unanimous decision, meaning all judges agreed she won every round.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Starting in MMA

Holly Holm had her first mixed martial arts fight on March 4, 2011. She won the fight in the second round because her opponent could not continue after Holly's leg kicks.

She fought again on September 9, 2011, and won by technical knockout in the third round.

Bellator MMA and Retirement from Boxing

On February 28, 2013, Holly made her Bellator MMA debut. She won this fight by technical knockout in the second round.

Holly decided to stop boxing after her fight on May 11, 2013, so she could focus completely on her MMA career. She won her last boxing match by unanimous decision.

Legacy Fighting Championship

On July 19, 2013, Holly faced Allanna Jones and won with a head-kick knockout in the second round.

She continued to win her fights in Legacy Fighting Championship. On April 4, 2014, she won the first-ever Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship. She broke her left arm during the first round of this fight but still managed to win.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

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

Holly was supposed to fight Raquel Pennington in her UFC debut, but she had to pull out due to an injury. They eventually fought at UFC 184, and Holly won by a split decision.

She then faced Marion Reneau on July 15, 2015, and won by unanimous decision.

Holm vs. Rousey

Holly's most important MMA fight was against the undefeated champion Ronda Rousey. The fight was moved up to November 14, 2015, at UFC 193. Even though many people thought Holly would lose, she controlled the fight with her striking. She won the fight by knockout in the second round with a high kick. This ended Rousey's winning streak and her three-year reign as champion.

Holly earned two bonus awards for this fight. She also became the first person to win championships in both boxing and MMA. Her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, even declared November "Holly Holm Month."

In her first title defense, Holly lost to Miesha Tate on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. After a tough fight, Tate defeated Holly in the fifth round with a rear-naked choke. Holly refused to give up and was knocked unconscious, so the referee stopped the fight.

Holly then lost to Valentina Shevchenko on July 23, 2016, by unanimous decision.

Featherweight Championship Fight

Holly fought Germaine de Randamie for the first-ever UFC Women's Featherweight Championship on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208. She lost the fight by unanimous decision. During the fight, de Randamie hit Holly after the bell sounded at the end of two rounds, but no points were taken away.

After the Championships

After losing the featherweight title fight, Holly returned to the bantamweight division. She faced Bethe Correia on June 17, 2017, and won by knockout in the third round with a head kick and a punch. This win earned her another "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Holly then challenged Cris Cyborg for the UFC Featherweight Championship on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219. She lost the fight by unanimous decision, but it was a very exciting fight that earned her a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Holly faced Megan Anderson on June 9, 2018, and won by unanimous decision.

She signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC in March 2019.

Holly fought Amanda Nunes for the Women's Bantamweight Championship on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239. She lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round after being hit by a head kick.

Holly was scheduled to fight Raquel Pennington again, but she had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. They eventually fought on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246, and Holly won by unanimous decision.

She was scheduled to face Irene Aldana in August 2020, but the fight was postponed. They fought on October 4, 2020, and Holly won by unanimous decision.

Holly had to withdraw from fights in 2021 due to a kidney issue and a knee injury.

She faced Ketlen Vieira on May 21, 2022, and lost by a split decision. Many people thought Holly should have won this fight.

In late 2022, Holly signed another six-fight contract with the UFC.

She faced Yana Santos on March 25, 2023, and won by unanimous decision.

Holly fought Mayra Bueno Silva on July 15, 2023. She lost the fight, but later, the result was changed to a "No Contest" because Bueno Silva failed a drug test.

Her last fight in the UFC was against Kayla Harrison on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. She lost this fight by submission. Holly left the UFC on January 13, 2025, at her own request.

Global Fight League

Holly was set to fight Julia Budd in the first Global Fight League event on May 24, 2025. However, all events for this league were canceled.

Fighting Style

Holly Holm is known for her quick movements and strong jabs to her opponent's head. When she is close to her opponent, she often waits for them to attack so she can hit them back. She is also good at throwing combinations of punches, especially when her opponents are against the cage.

Other boxers have said that Holly moves very naturally. Her footwork helps her set up her strikes. At UFC 193, Ronda Rousey had trouble getting close to Holly because of her movement. Holly uses different types of kicks, like fast side kicks to the body, low kicks to stop opponents from rushing her, and high kicks to the head.

Major Achievements

Holly Holm has achieved many great things in her career:

Boxing Highlights

• Won 16 title defenses across three different weight classes.
• Named "Female Fighter of the Year" by the World Boxing Federation in 2012.
• Won multiple world titles from organizations like WBAN, WBC, GBU, WIBA, IFBA, WBA, and IBA.
• Inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.
• Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.
• Named "Female Fighter of the Year" by The Ring in 2005 and 2006.

Kickboxing Highlights

• Won the IKF/Ringside 2001 USA National Amateur International Rules Welterweight Championship.

Mixed Martial Arts Highlights

• UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship (One time; former champion).
• Won "Fight of the Night" two times (vs. Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg).
• Won "Performance of the Night" two times (vs. Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia).
• Holds the third most total fight time in UFC Women's Bantamweight history.
• Won the first-ever Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
• Named "Knockout of the Year" by ESPN in 2015 (vs. Ronda Rousey).
• Named "Upset of the Year" by Sherdog and MMAJunkie.com in 2015 (vs. Ronda Rousey).
• Won "Female Fighter of the Year" and "Knockout of the Year" at the 2015 World MMA Awards.
• Won "Upset of the Year" at the 2016 ESPY Awards (vs. Ronda Rousey).

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Personal Life

Holly Holm has strong relationships with her parents and brothers. Her father always attends her fights and used to help her during her boxing matches. Holly is a Christian. Her mother, Tammy, rarely watches Holly's fights live.

In 2012, Holly married Jeff Kirkpatrick, whom she met in college. They separated in July 2019, and Holly filed for divorce, asking to use her maiden name again.

See also

In Spanish: Holly Holm para niños

• List of female boxers
• List of female mixed martial artists
• List of mixed martial artists with professional boxing records
• List of multi-sport athletes