“No more main events, LFG!” – Iconic Holly Holm leaving the UFC at 43-years-old sparks mixed reactions

Former UFC women's bantamweight titleholder Holly Holm opts for free agency as fans cheer removal of headlining stack.

“No more main events, LFG!” – Iconic Holly Holm leaving the UFC at 43-years-old sparks mixed reactions

Ex-champ Holly Holm leaves UFC, will explore free agency (Source: IMAGO)

Ex-UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm has left the UFC and is looking to become a free agent. Holm’s long-time manager, Lenny Fresquez, informed Ariel Helwani of the split earlier this week (Monday 13 January 2025). Holm takes her out on a historic but brief 16-fight run.

Holm, a former women’s bantamweight champion in the promotion and a boxing HOF, had fights left on her contract. Her request came to be, and she will pursue other MMA or boxing opportunities. She last lost against new bantamweight signing Kayla Harrison; the current top seed for the 135-pound gold. CEO Dana White had primarily urged her to retire but she brushed it off.

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Holm (15-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC), pulled off one of the biggest upsets nine years ago when she knocked out heavy favorite Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. But “Rowdy” killer lost to Rousey rival Miesha Tate four months later. The 43-year-old fighter had one shot at regaining the title and two shots at the UFC women’s 145-pound belt. But she failed those bids.

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The loss to Tate set off a 2-5 slump vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie [145], Cris Cyborg 145], and Amanda Nunes back at 135lbs. All of her PPV spotlights were critically panned on such a run. That is despite the 16 title defenses spread out over three divisions.

Holly Holm was a two-time Female FOTY from The Ring magazine and a Class of 2017 HOF inductee. Her UFC exit has marked some mixed reactions from fans.

Fight fans react to Holly Holm parting ways with UFC

Holly Holm began her MMA career in 2011 in her native New Mexico. Within three years, she was holding the Legacy FC championship. It was not long before she was in the UFC and touted victories over the future champ Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau. Then, Holm received her shot at Rousey.

Fans react to Holly Holm's departure
Fans react to Holly Holm’s departure (Source: IMAGO)

The stunning knockout in Australia was a double bonus winner and the KO of the year for most outlets. It also cemented Holm’s status as an MMA star. But the fan clique thought she got one too many headlining spots. Fight Nights such as Holm vs. Bueno Silva, Holm vs. Vieira, and Holm vs. Aldana were some late ones.

She has had eight headlining spots and UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm was the only numbered card. Name it – and fans say it was sort of lackluster. Hence, here is what they think of the emancipation of ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’:

A handful support the purport of her illustrious career or her highlight KO. However, a prime reaction (@NawhtA_Trouhl) mocked “No more Holly Holm fight night main events. LFG.” It did not stop there. Some even asked for a snub of names like Tony Ferguson (eight-fight UFC losing skid is the longest in company history) and Clay Guida next.

Holm is one of the most decorated women’s boxers in history as well. So that could be the next venture. Boxing opportunities could come against the likes of Cyborg, who she lost to in the UFC. Cyborg’s status as Bellator champion may be up in the air. But she has also been a boxer in recent years.

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