5 Shocking Twists In Holly Holm's MMA Career: From Ronda Rousey Upset To Free Agent Status

As of December 10, 2025, the storied MMA career of Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm has entered its most unpredictable phase yet: free agency. The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, celebrated for delivering one of the most iconic knockouts in combat sports history, has officially parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, leaving two fights on her contract to explore new opportunities in both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. This shocking development follows her final UFC appearance against Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison at the historic UFC 300 event. This article dives deep into the five most consequential and shocking moments of Holly Holm’s journey in MMA, detailing her latest fight, her current status as a combat sports free agent, and the highly anticipated possibility of a return to the boxing ring to challenge for a fourth-weight division world title. Her unique transition from a multi-time boxing champion to an elite MMA contender makes her a perennial figure of curiosity for fans worldwide.

Holly Holm: Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Holly Rene Holm, known by the nickname "The Preacher's Daughter," is a combat sports legend whose career spans over two decades in boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Holm's disciplined approach and world-class striking foundation allowed her to achieve unprecedented success across multiple disciplines.

• Full Name: Holly Rene Holm
• Nickname: The Preacher's Daughter
• Date of Birth: October 17, 1981
• Place of Birth: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
• Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
• Weight Class (MMA): Women's Bantamweight (135 lbs)
• MMA Professional Record: 15 Wins, 7 Losses, 0 Draws (1 No Contest) [cite: 5 in initial search]
• Boxing Professional Record: 33 Wins, 2 Losses, 3 Draws (as of 2013, before MMA focus) [cite: 4 in initial search]
• Major Titles: Former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, 19-time world boxing champion across three weight classes. [cite: 1 in initial search]
• Gym/Team: Jackson Wink MMA Academy (under coaches Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson)

The Five Biggest Twists in Holly Holm's MMA Saga

Holly Holm's career is defined by high-stakes fights and unexpected turns. From her debut to her recent departure, her journey has been a masterclass in longevity and adaptation in the brutal world of combat sports.

1. The Monumental Head Kick: Dethroning Ronda Rousey (UFC 193)

The first and most famous twist came on November 15, 2015, when Holly Holm faced the seemingly invincible UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey. Rousey was an undefeated, dominant force and a global superstar. The fight was expected to be another quick submission victory for "Rowdy."

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Instead, Holm executed a perfect, calculated game plan. She utilized her superior footwork and world-class boxing to frustrate Rousey, keeping her at distance and stuffing takedowns. The fight culminated in the second round with Holm delivering a devastating left high kick, instantly knocking out Rousey and capturing the UFC title. [cite: 15 in initial search]

This single moment—the "Ronda Kick"—is arguably the greatest upset in UFC history, solidifying Holm's legacy and showcasing the power of elite striking in MMA. [cite: 12 in initial search, 15 in initial search]

2. The Short-Lived Reign and Immediate Loss to Miesha Tate

The second major twist was the brevity of Holm's title reign. Just four months after her monumental victory, Holm faced Miesha Tate at UFC 196. Holm was ahead on the scorecards, controlling the striking exchanges with her signature jab-straight combination.

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In a stunning turn of events in the fifth and final round, Tate secured a dramatic rear-naked choke, putting Holm to sleep and snatching the belt. This loss demonstrated the razor-thin margins at the elite level of the women's bantamweight division and marked the beginning of Holm's challenging run of title shots and close decisions.

3. The Controversial Title Miss Against Germaine de Randamie

In 2017, Holm fought Germaine de Randamie for the inaugural UFC Women's Featherweight Championship (145 lbs). The fight was a competitive, five-round affair that ultimately went to de Randamie via unanimous decision.

However, the bout was marred by controversy due to de Randamie landing shots after the bell on two separate occasions. Many analysts and fans felt the fouls warranted a point deduction that could have swung the close decision in Holm's favor. While the result stood, the fight remains a significant "what if" moment in Holm's pursuit of a second divisional title, highlighting her willingness to compete outside her natural weight class.

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4. The Final UFC Fight: Submission Loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300

Holly Holm's final contracted fight under the UFC banner was a high-profile bout against two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024. This was a critical matchup, with Harrison making her highly anticipated UFC debut.

The contest ended in the second round when Harrison, demonstrating her elite grappling credentials, secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Holm to submit. The loss, while significant, was a testament to Holm’s willingness to face the toughest challenges in the sport, even a dominant grappler like Harrison, in her late 40s.

5. The Shocking Free Agent Status and Boxing Focus

The most recent and perhaps most surprising twist is Holm’s current status. Following the UFC 300 loss, news broke that Holly Holm was granted an unconditional release from her UFC contract, making her a combat sports free agent.

This move, despite having two fights remaining on her deal, allows Holm to explore new opportunities. Her manager, Lenny Fresquez, has confirmed she is open to both MMA and boxing. The immediate focus, however, appears to be a return to the squared circle. Holm is actively pursuing a boxing match for a WBA title in a fourth weight division, aiming to add another historic achievement to her already legendary combat sports resume. [cite: 16 in initial search, 18 in initial search]

The Future: Will Holly Holm Return to the Octagon?

The question on every fan's mind is whether "The Preacher's Daughter" will ever step back into the MMA cage. As a free agent, Holm has the leverage to negotiate with any promotion, including Bellator, PFL, or even a return to the UFC on a new contract.

Her focus on a boxing title highlights her enduring love for the sport where she first achieved global fame. Holm's incredible striking ability, honed under coaches Mike Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson at the Jackson Wink MMA Academy, remains her greatest asset, making a boxing return a compelling and high-stakes proposition. [cite: 11 in initial search]

However, given her history of facing the best, a high-profile MMA return against a top contender in the women's bantamweight division or a lucrative rematch remains a possibility. For now, the combat sports world is on high alert, waiting to see which organization will secure the next chapter of Holly Holm's extraordinary career.