Holly Holm is a combat sports free agent.
The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and the UFC have mutually agreed to part ways, freeing Holm to pursue other opportunities immediately, Holm’s longtime agent, Lenny Fresquez, and other sources told Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani.
Holm had two fights remaining on her UFC contract at the time of her departure, but requested a chance to explore other opportunities in the final chapter of her Hall of Fame combat sports career. She plans to keep fighting and is open to both MMA and boxing, Fresquez told Uncrowned.
Holm, 43, is already a member of the Boxing International Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2022 for a decorated in-ring run that saw her capture titles across three weight classes.
Holm (15-7, 1 NC) made her full-time transition to MMA in 2013 and swiftly captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title in just her third bout with the promotion, memorably upsetting Ronda Rousey with a second-round head kick knockout in November 2015 at UFC 193. She remained a top contender in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions throughout the rest of her Octagon tenure, unsuccessfully challenging three more times for UFC championships following her 2016 title loss to Miesha Tate.
Holm exits the UFC with a 8-7 (1 NC) promotional record, a run that includes victories over former champion Raquel Pennington (x2), Irene Aldana and former Invicta FC champ Megan Anderson. She suffered a second-round submission loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 in her final Octagon bout.
