Born: October 17, 1981
Age: 43
Holly Holm
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Biography
Holly Rene Holm-Kirkpatrick (born Holly Rene Holm; October 17, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. She is the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. She is also a former professional boxer and kickboxer. She was a multiple-time world champion in boxing, defending her titles 18 times in three weight classes, and was a two-time Ring magazine fighter of the year (2005, 2006).
Holm's most notable win in mixed martial arts (MMA) occurred at UFC 193, in front of a record-breaking crowd for a UFC event (56,214 people) in Melbourne, when she captured the bantamweight title and gave Ronda Rousey her first and only loss in the sport. The fight is considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports.
Holm is the first person to win championships in both boxing and mixed martial arts. As of March 2016, she is ranked the #1 female bantamweight contender by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and the #2 fighter by Sherdog. She is also ranked the #3 pound-for-pound female fighter by Sherdog, while Fight Matrix lists her as #8. UFC fighter and teammate Jon Jones has called her the greatest female athlete in the history of combat sports. Outside of MMA, she appears in the 2016 feature film Fight Valley.
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Early life
Holly Holm was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in nearby Bosque Farms, the youngest of three children. Her father, Roger, is a Church of Christ preacher — as a fighter, Holly would later be nicknamed "The Preacher's Daughter" - and her mother, Tammy, is a massage therapist. Holm is of Irish descent.
Growing up, Holm played soccer and participated in gymnastics, swimming and diving. Her parents divorced shortly before she graduated from Manzano High School in 2000; after graduation, she studied for a year at the University of New Mexico.
Amateur kickboxing career
Holm's path to a career in boxing and kickboxing began with aerobics classes. Her cardio-kickboxing instructor, Mike Winkeljohn, recognized Holm's potential as a fighter and began training her.
In September 2001, Holm won the championship title in the International Rules Adult Women's Welterweight Division at the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) USA National Amateur Championship Tournament, held in Kansas City, Missouri. She fought two bouts in the tournament. She won the first by technical knockout at 34 seconds in the first round. She won the second by unanimous decision. This was Holm's last amateur competition. Her overall amateur kickboxing record is 6-0-2.
Professional boxing career
Holm has held several welterweight boxing titles, been highly regarded as one of the best female welterweights in the world, and is considered among the best of all time, by some. She also has been named Ring Magazine female Fighter of the Year, twice in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. She is a big draw in her home town of Albuquerque, having all but 3 of her fights there and just one of her fights outside of her home state of New Mexico.
In June 2008 she became the undisputed welterweight champion and holder of belts from 140 to 154 by defeating former champ Mary Jo Sanders by decision. They fought a rematch on October 17, 2008, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, which ended in a draw.
On December 2, 2011, Holm took on knockout artist Anne Sophie Mathis of France for the vacant IBF female and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm was badly beaten by the stronger Mathis without the referee interfering, even going into the canvas without a count. She finally lost by knockout in the 7th round, which would be dubbed the upset of the year in women's boxing. The two rematched on June 15, 2012 for Mathis's WBF female, IBF female, and WBAN welterweight titles. Holm took a unanimous decision win over Mathis, becoming the new champion and avenging her earlier KO loss.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Holm made her mixed martial arts debut on March 4, 2011 against Christina Domke at an event promoted by her boxing promoter Lenny Fresquez. She co-headlined the card with Jackson's Submission Fighting teammate Keith Jardine. Holm won the fight via TKO in the second round after her opponent was unable to continue due to leg kicks inflicted by Holm.
Holm returned to MMA on September 9, 2011 at Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage against Strikeforce veteran Jan Finney. She defeated Finney by TKO in the third round.
Bellator MMA
On February 28, 2013, Holm made her Bellator MMA debut against Katie Merrill at Bellator 91 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Holm won the bout via TKO in the second round.
Holm announced that she would retire from boxing after her May 11, 2013 boxing match against Mary McGee so that she can fully concentrate on her MMA career. The message came as a punctuation in the negotiations to arrange a title-battle between Holm and the Norwegian champion Cecilia Brækhus. Holm went on to defeat McGee via unanimous decision, for her boxing retirement bout.
Legacy Fighting Championship
On July 19, 2013, Holm faced Allanna Jones at Legacy Fighting Championship 21. She won the fight by head-kick knockout in the second round.
Holm was expected to face Erica Paes at Legacy Fighting Championship 24 on October 11, 2013. However, Paes was removed from the card and Holm instead faced Nikki Knudsen. Holm won the fight via TKO due to a body kick and knees in round two.
On December 6, 2013, Holm faced Angela Hayes at Fresquez Productions: Havoc. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
On April 4, 2014, Holm faced Juliana Werner for the inaugural Legacy FC Women's Bantamweight Championship. She won the bout and title via TKO in the fifth round due to a head kick and punches.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On July 10, 2014, the media announced that Holm had signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Later in an interview with MMA Junkie, Holm's manager Lenny Fresquez disclosed that Holm's contract is for five fights.
Holm was expected to make her debut at UFC 181 against Raquel Pennington. However, on November 13, Holm was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed injury. The two fighters faced each other at UFC 184. Holm won the bout by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Holm faced Marion Reneau on July 15, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 71. Holm won the fight by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28).
Women's Bantamweight Championship
In her highest profile MMA fight to date, Holm faced defending women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey before a record-setting crowd in the main event of UFC 193 on November 14, 2015. Despite being a massive betting underdog, Holm controlled a majority of the bout with her superior striking and defended all of Rousey's takedowns. The second fighter to take Rousey past the first round (after Miesha Tate), she won the fight via knockout in the second with a high kick, ending Rousey's undefeated streak and three-year reign as champion.
Holm was also awarded her first "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" bonus awards (totalling $100,000). By winning the title, she became the first person to win championships in both boxing and MMA. Following the bout, UFC fighter Jon Jones said he thought Holm was "already the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of women's combat sports". Her hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico, proclaimed November "Holly Holm Month".
In her first title defense, Holm lost to Miesha Tate in the fifth round on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. After four rounds of back-and-forth fighting, Tate defeated Holm in the fifth with a rear-naked choke. Holm was strong in the first round of the fight standing up, but was less effective grappling with Tate on the mat. After Tate took Holm down in the second round, Holm almost submitted to a rear-naked choke, but wriggled out just before the bell. In the fifth round, Tate scored another takedown and locked in another rear-naked choke. Holm refused to submit, was rendered unconscious, and the referee declared a technical submission.
Fighting style
Holm employs frequent lateral movement while working stiff jabs to an opponent's head. When standing within the pocket, she often waits to attack with counter-strikes, usually employing a straight left hand. Holm is also known for her punching combinations, typically done while her opponents are against the cage.
Former boxer Ana Julaton has described Holm as a "natural mover", noting her footwork as an asset in setting up strikes. At UFC 193, Ronda Rousey took several blows while struggling to close the distance against Holm.
Holm uses a variety of kicking techniques, often targeting the body with a fast side kick, pushing back a rush with a low oblique kick, and attacking the head with a left high kick.
In popular culture
Holm is one of several boxers photographed by artist Delilah Montoya and profiled in the publication Women Boxers: The New Warriors. She appears in the 2016 feature film Fight Valley.
Championships and accomplishments
First combatant, male or female, to win world titles in both boxing and mixed martial arts.
Boxing
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Kickboxing
Mixed martial arts
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Professional boxing record
| 33 Wins (9 knockouts, 23 decisions), 2 Losses (2 knockouts, 0 decisions), 3 Draws | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 33-2-3 | Mary McGee | |||||
| Win | 32-2-3 | Diana Prazak | |||||
| Win | 31-2-3 | Anne Sophie Mathis | |||||
| Loss | 30-2-3 | Anne Sophie Mathis | |||||
| Win | 30-1-3 | Victoria Cisneros | |||||
| Win | 29-1-3 | Ann Saccurato | |||||
| Win | 28-1-3 | Jaime Clampitt | |||||
| Win | 27-1-3 | Chevelle Hallback | |||||
| Win | 26-1-3 | Victoria Cisneros | |||||
| Win | 25-1-3 | Terri Blair | |||||
| Win | 24-1-3 | Duda Yankovich | |||||
| Win | 23-1-3 | Myriam Lamare | |||||
| Draw | 22-1-3 | Mary Jo Sanders | |||||
| Win | 22-1-2 | Mary Jo Sanders | |||||
| Win | 21-1-2 | Belinda Laracuente | |||||
| Win | 20-1-2 | Miriam Brakache | |||||
| Win | 19-1-2 | Angelica Martinez | |||||
| Win | 18-1-2 | Chevelle Hallback | |||||
| Win | 17-1-2 | Ann Saccurato | |||||
| Win | 16-1-2 | Tricia Turton | |||||
| Win | 15-1-2 | Jane Couch | |||||
| Win | 14-1-2 | Angelica Martinez | |||||
| Win | 13-1-2 | Shadina Pennybaker | |||||
| Win | 12-1-2 | Mia St. John | |||||
| Win | 11-1-2 | Christy Martin | |||||
| Win | 10-1-2 | Lisa Lewis | |||||
| Win | 9-1-2 | Gloria Ramirez | |||||
| Win | 8-1-2 | Terri Blair | |||||
| Loss | 7-1-2 | Rita Turrisi | |||||
| Draw | 7-0-2 | Angelica Martinez | |||||
| Win | 7-0-1 | Janae Archuleta | |||||
| Win | 6-0-1 | Angelica Martinez | |||||
| Draw | 5-0-1 | Stephanie Jaramillo | |||||
| Win | 5-0 | Stephanie Jaramillo | |||||
| Win | 4-0 | Bonnie Mann | |||||
| Win | 3-0 | Martha Deitchman | |||||
| Win | 2-0 | Terrie Carrillo | |||||
| Win | 1-0 | Martha Deitchman | |||||
Kickboxing record
| Kickboxing Record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 Wins (2 (T)KO, 0 decisions), 1 Loss, 0 Draws
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 11 matches | 10 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentina Shevchenko | UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko | 000000002016-07-23-0000July 23, 2016 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | ||||||
| Loss | 10-1 | Miesha Tate | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 196 | 000000002016-03-05-0000March 5, 2016 | 5 | 3:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10-0 | Ronda Rousey | KO (head kick and punches) | UFC 193 | 000000002015-11-15-0000November 15, 2015 | 2 | 0:59 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 9-0 | Marion Reneau | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee | 000000002015-07-15-0000July 15, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 8-0 | Raquel Pennington | Decision (split) | UFC 184 | 000000002015-02-28-0000February 28, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 7-0 | Juliana Werner | KO (head kick and punches) | Legacy FC 30: Holm vs. Werner | 000000002014-04-04-0000April 4, 2014 | 5 | 1:50 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 6-0 | Angela Hayes | Decision (unanimous) | Fresquez Productions: Havoc | 000000002013-12-06-0000December 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 5-0 | Nikki Knudsen | TKO (body kick and knees) | Legacy FC 24: Feist vs. Ferreira | 000000002013-10-11-0000October 11, 2013 | 2 | 1:18 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4-0 | Allanna Jones | KO (head kick) | Legacy FC 21: Huerta vs. Hobar | 000000002013-07-19-0000July 19, 2013 | 2 | 2:22 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3-0 | Katie Merrill | TKO (punches) | Bellator 91 | 000000002013-02-28-0000February 28, 2013 | 2 | 3:02 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 2-0 | Jan Finney | TKO (body kick) | Fresquez Productions: Clash in the Cage | 000000002011-09-09-0000September 9, 2011 | 3 | 2:49 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 1-0 | Christina Domke | TKO (leg kicks) | Fresquez Productions: Double Threat | 000000002011-03-04-0000March 4, 2011 | 2 | 3:58 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Knockout Sportsworld | Herself | Episode: "Throwing Bombs" Archive footage |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Fight Valley |
Personal life
Holm has close relationships with her parents and brothers. Her father has never missed any of her fights, and for years assisted in her corner during her boxing matches. She and her father are partners in a real estate company. Holm is a Christian and her faith background is in Churches of Christ.
In 2012, she married Jeff Kirkpatrick, who is also from Albuquerque.
[ Source: Wikipedia ]
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