Breaking: Former UFC champion Holly Holm is set to return to the octagon in March, opponent revealed
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm is set to return to the octagon in March against Yana Kunitskaya. The bout will take place at UFC on ESPN 43 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2023.
Holm last fought against Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 206 where she lost a split decision to 'Fenomeno'. Kunitskaya last fought Irene Aldana at UFC 264 where she lost via TKO in the first round. 'The Preacher's Daughter' is ranked No.3 in the women's bantamweight rankings, while her opponent is ranked No.6.
Holly Holm and Yana Kunitskaya will battle to get back in the title picture in March.
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Holly Holm stands at 5'8" and has a reach of 69". She last weighed in at 135.5 pounds against Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 206.
The former bantamweight champion has a promotional record of 7-6 and an overall MMA record of 14-6.
Yana Kunitskaya like Holm is 5'8" but gives up half an inch in reach to her opponent at 68.5". She last weighed in at 134.5 pounds for her fight against Irene Aldana at UFC 264.
Kunitskaya has a 4-3 UFC record and an overall MMA record of 14-6 (1 NC).
When Holly Holm derailed Ronda Rousey's MMA career
Holly Holm has had an illustrious career in boxing with a 33-2 record. However, she shot to fame when she knocked Ronda Rousey out clean with a head kick to snatch the bantamweight title at UFC 193 in November 2015. Prior to fighting 'The Preacher's Daughter', Rousey was undefeated in MMA, with a 12-0 record and a 100% finishing rate inside the octagon.
With a win over 'Rowdy', Holly Holm became the first person ever to win championships in boxing and MMA. She also became the person to hand Ronda Rousey her first professional loss and was also the first to knock her out.
Watch Holm's win over Rousey below:
The win was so big for Holm that the month of November is celebrated as 'Holly Holm Month' in her home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
However, her reign as champion was short-lived as she was defeated by Ronda Rousey's bitter rival Miesha Tate at UFC 196. Following her loss to 'Cupcake', Holm fought for the title twice, against Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title at UFC 219 and against Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title at UFC 239. She lost both bouts.
Ronda Rousey was never the same after her loss to Holm. She made a lackluster comeback at UFC 207 against current champion Amanda Nunes, who dismantled 'Rowdy' with strikes in the first round. Following her loss to Nunes, Rousey retired from MMA.
However, Ronda Rousey has since transitioned to professional wrestling and fights in WWE. She is currently the SmackDown women's champion. Her nickname 'Rowdy' was inspired by the late wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper.