In a stunning turn of events, former UFC champion Holly Holm has officially parted ways with the organization and is now set to explore new opportunities in both MMA and boxing. At 43, Holm, who boasts an impressive record of 15 wins and 7 losses in MMA (8 wins and 7 losses in the UFC), has made significant waves in the combat sports world over her long and illustrious career.

Although Holm still had a few fights remaining on her contract with the UFC, she requested her release, which was granted by the promotion. Her agent, Lenny Fresquez, confirmed this decision, indicating that Holm is eager to pursue new challenges in the combat sports arena.

Holly Holm’s rise to fame can be traced back to November 2015, when she delivered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by knocking out the heavily favored Ronda Rousey with a stunning head kick at UFC 193. Securing the women’s bantamweight title in that match marked a defining moment in Holm's career and forever altered the landscape of women’s MMA. That victory not only ended Rousey’s undefeated streak but also solidified Holm's status as a top-tier fighter.

Despite her stellar achievements, Holm faced challenges in her later career. She lost the bantamweight title to Ronda Rousey's rival, Miesha Tate, just four months after her monumental win. Subsequent title fights against other high-caliber opponents, including Valentina Shevchenko and Cris Cyborg, also ended in disappointment for Holm, leading to a challenging stretch of fights where she experienced a 2-5 slump.

Most recently, Holm exited the UFC after a second-round submission loss to two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison at UFC 300, which took place in April 2024. This followed another defeat to Mayra Bueno Silva — a match that was ultimately overturned to a no contest due to Silva's failed drug test.

Starting her journey in mixed martial arts back in 2011 in New Mexico, Holm quickly established herself as a formidable competitor, clinching a Legacy FC title within three years before making her way to the UFC. Notably, her career also boasts remarkable success in boxing, where she stands as one of the most decorated female fighters, holding 16 title defenses spanning three weight classes. Holm was named a two-time Female Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and was inducted into both the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

With her departure from the UFC, exciting boxing opportunities could lie ahead for Holm, particularly potential bouts against notable fighters like Cris Cyborg, who has also transitioned to boxing in recent years. As fans and pundits alike speculate on her future, one thing is evident: Holly Holm's next chapter promises to be just as electrifying as her storied past.

Stay tuned, because with Holm in free agency, the fighting world is about to get a lot more intriguing!