By: Sean Crose
It was definitely a fight to remember. Ronda Rousey, UFC bantamweight world champion, is said to be unstoppable. Not only did she dominate the competition, but the media loved her immensely. In fact, Rousey’s bad attitude seems to actually make her a favorite of the media. Which meant that Holly Holm, Rousey’s opponent that night in Australia, wasn’t the type of reporter who would shine. Holm is quiet, and also polite. She was nicknamed “Preacher’s Daughter” due to her father being an ordained rabbi. In short, she’s seen as Rousey’s next victim in a duel across the ages.
However, sometimes, as they say, you have to watch out for quiet people. Holm not only faced Rousey but also beat the media. Towards the end of the round, in which Holm made her opponent look like a complete amateur, Rousey was in a lama position with a perfect kick to Holm’s neck. And Holm is the UFC’s new bantamweight champion by removing the ferocious Rousey from her title belt. It was a performance for the ages, one that cemented Holm’s place in UFC history.
However, Rousey’s story is much more than that. Before finding glory in mixed martial arts, the New Mexico-born was a top boxer, becoming the undisputed world weight champion in 2008, among other accomplishments. Holm has even been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022. That means a quick look at Holm’s overall résumé reveals that she’s the first boxer to ever win it. major titles in both boxing and the UFC. No matter how one looks at it, it’s a huge deal.
So why doesn’t Holm get the credit it deserves? As far as fighting games go, the woman is actually a historical figure. All Holm really knew, however, was her conquest of Rousey nearly seven years ago. This has to do with the fact that Holm doesn’t discuss his boxing career much in public. It also has to do with the fact that Holm does not possess the personality that the media attracts. The woman was a steady, polite professional, not one to bask in the limelight. No problem. Ahead of Holm’s fight in the UFC against Ketlen Vieira this weekend, fans of combat sports should step back, appreciate and recognize the remarkable career that now forty-year-old Holm has had.
